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short of the glory of God"
and you will be saved"
the right to become children of God"
power of Christ forsaking them, go for ward to live
for Christ. He will give forgiveness, power, victory,
purpose, the Holy Spirit and life eternal.
Yes, it is hard but the way has been paved so don't
think that you need to re�invent the wheel. Let it be
known that you have concerns. You don't always
know where to turn or what to do. You are going to
get a lot of bad advice from doctors and people who
mean well. You wish you had some sort of support
that understood where you were coming from. Reach
out and seek that. Other people can help your child
but ultimately that child is yours and you cannot be
part of that process if you are terrified, paralyzed or
complacent. Find someone who can keep you spiritu-
ally accountable and help nurture you through this
time. It is not just about you. Siblings have to relate
to your child, too.
You can go different places and get some respite.
Your child is stuck in his or her body and mind per-
manently. If you feel you are burdened or you are ter-
rified, think of how much more your child feels the
same way. Stop making it about yourself and make
How would I want Mommy or Daddy to relate to me?
Him anymore. That was a very dark time and I am
glad that I got over that. Things got better. Things
change. Struggles don't last forever no matter where
you are starting. I can't play God and demand that
my life be this and that the life of my child be that. I
remember thinking that it was an interruption in my
life and that I was not allowed to be what I was sup-
posed to be. Every parent in this situation feels that
if they are honest. Good things happened when I got
over that. This thing that happened is exactly God's
plan for the boys and for me. It is making them the
persons they are supposed to be. You shouldn't be
afraid to ask for what you need. God has something
in mind for us.
have lost is having a similar experience with most peo-
ple. Their child, their family is not less. It is different
but not less. Each of us must embrace what God is
doing in our families, trusting that God is preparing
them, our children, and us for His good purposes.