Do you ever feel forgotten?
Joesph, in the Bible, felt forgotten.
Genesis 40:23 says, The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.
Joseph was in prison for a crime he did not commit. The prison warden put Joseph in charge of all those in jail. Joseph was made responsible for all that happened in there. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did. Genesis 39:22
The circumstances may not be as extreme as Joseph’s. Still, perhaps they feel like being in prison, stuck in a job, debt, marriage issues, or caring for a loved one who is ageing, has a mental illness, or lives with disabilities. It may feel like circumstances will never change, that no one sees you, and that there is no way out.
As a special needs mother, I often feel forgotten. What other mothers do for their kids without even blinking, like enrolling them in a class or finding a coach to teach a skill, might, for me, involve weeks of or even years of conversations so that my son can have the same opportunities as other young people. I feel forgotten when the waiting lists for therapy are horrendously long or have high expenses for treatment and home and living services. Special needs people and their families are passed over, making it challenging to navigate. (http://www.leisawilliamsauthor.com Hope Wins, p 95)
If I do not advocate, others will forget about my special needs son and not care that he is overlooked due to his additional needs and cannot achieve his desire for a meaningful life. As a caregiver, I have reflected on the story of Joseph. And how, despite being forgotten in jail, he chose to serve in his prison regardless of his situation. As a result, the Lord showed Him kindness and granted him favour in the eyes of the prison warden. Despite the favour, it did not mean Joseph was content to stay in prison. He wanted to get out.
Joseph helped others despite his situation to get out of prison, yet when they did, they forgot to help him. It took another two years after interpreting the baker’s and cupbearers’ dreams before he was set free. God’s timing was perfect, yet I can only imagine what Joesph was going through as he waited. When I feel forgotten, I comfort myself that God will make a way when there seems to be no way. God will not forget me, and I can serve Him as I wait, despite the circumstances. God’s timing is perfect.
Like Joseph, God will not forget about you. Hang onto this thought and trust in His perfect timing for your release.
Until next time,
Leisa
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My daughter has recently become a mom of a son with special needs. I watch in awe at all she does and accomplishes. She is a hero and so are you! Thank you for sharing your tender thoughts with us.
I’m sorry that so often you feel forgotten. It’s hard (this is NOT an excuse, just an answer I suppose) to try to consider all the needs of everyone sometimes. And oftentimes people don’t even think about the special needs kids… so yes, sometimes they are forgotten. (speaking as a homeschooler there).
I remember one mom thanking me for answering her son’s myriad questions. I said, well, why wouldn’t I? and she told me how often adults would shut her son down saying enough questions, let others ask. I just figure if someone’s asking questions they should be answered. 🙂 But it was her son’s thing… asking and asking and asking until he put it all together. Might not seem like a special need, but in a way it was.
They stand up from their modest places
in shadows of the furthest row,
and on their calm and stubborn faces
is writ in flaming letters, “No,
I will not let neglecting pass
for this my child, born of my blood
who may yet need a special class
but won’t be borne away by flood
of desire for bright whole,
Potemkin Village, smiling faces
on a soaring upward roll;
no, the mark of truest grace is
not to wide world fawn and please,
but to care for the least of these.
You sound like an amazing mom and advocate, and I’m sure the Lord is using you as His instrument to encourage and bring hope to many other moms with special needs children.
Thanks Sandra really appreciate the encouragement it means a lot
Thanks for sharing this, Leisa. It is so hard when people don’t realise what you’re dealing with and you are being forgotten by the system, by the church, by family. But never by God. He sees and He really does make a way. One day I’ll write about how He made a way for my now 28yo daughter who has been chronically unwell for ten years, on death’s door several times, and who is now thriving, still with a chronic illness. Kath
Wow! Thanks Kath I would love to hear your story I know we are on the cusp of a breakthrough. Trusting in Jesus, keeping our eyes fixed on Him ❤️
Thank you this is a beautiful reflection and one many mums can relate to.
Thank you for sharing and for the reminder to reach out to those I haven’t for a while
Thanks 😊
I am in awe of moms like you that spend innumerable hours advocating for their child(ren).
God sees you!
God knows!
FMF #23
Thanks, Barb I needed to hear that encouragement this morning, bless you!