Unconditional love & Special Needs Motherhood

What do you think of when you think of the word love?

Maybe you think of that butterfly feeling you get in the put of your stomach when a special someone walks in the room.

Perhaps you reminisce about the way you felt when you first started dating or got married- the way you couldn't stop smiling.

And, as a hopeless romantic, I'll admit those things are good and beautiful.

But, I'm afraid society has muddied the water and we often settle for a cheap version of what love was intended to be.

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." John 15:13

I've always been taught that love is a choice. Indeed it is!

And when I entered this community of special needs parents-- when I became a special needs mom myself-- I discovered a whole new type of love. A love that is relentless, and beautiful, and hard, and inspiring, and giving, and REAL. You know? A love that may spend an entire lifetime pouring out and getting little in return. A love that at times can truly be emptying, and yet somehow so rewarding.

As I watch these parents walk out this love, a love that I am getting but a small taste of, I can't help but think that this is what love was always intended to be- the way God meant it all along.

His great love for us, required great sacrifice.

And so THIS is LOVE.

A love that endures….

A love that fights….

A love that sometimes feels hopeless….

Yet somehow finds hope….

A love that never quits….

One that grows weary,

But never stops for rest…..

This is love….

A love that protects….

A love that lives out sacrifice….

A love that shatters our hearts…

Yet somehow makes us whole….

This is love….

A love that is strong….

Even when weakness takes over.

A love that is BIG…

Even when little is leftover.

A love that hurts….

And then heals…..

A love that breaks….

And then grows something even better.

THIS IS LOVE.

A love that lasts through diagnosis...

And doctors appointments....

And hospital stays...

And many hard battles.

A love that should give up

But never does.

A love that should run out…

But never will.

A love that you LIVE out every day.

THIS IS LOVE.

This tribute video is dedicated to all the Warrior Mommas and babies. Thank you for being my inspiration!

To learn more about Dravet Syndrome go to www.dravetsyndromefoundation.com

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13

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