Unlocking the Treasure

Preface I’m so glad you dared peak into the cover of this study book! If you are a mom of a child with special needs—or the mom of a very difficult child—then you are a woman who is dealing with challenges far greater than you ever imagined. Perhaps you struggle because you feel no one really understands your pain. Maybe you’re weary of well-meaning people telling you that God won’t give you more than you can handle. Perhaps you’re secretly wondering if God has forgotten you or worse yet, that He’s punishing you for some past sin. Deep in your heart you may be angry with God, wondering why He chose you to have a child with “special” needs. I understand. I’ve been where you are. I am where you are. My husband and I have a teenage son who has struggled with mental illness and learning disabilities since early childhood. When we adopted our son, we knew he had special needs, and we assumed there would be bumps and bruises along the way. We thought we were well-aware of and well-prepared for any challenges we would encounter. We soon realized, however, that we were deep into a reality in which we had very little control and very limited knowledge. We didn't know anything about childhood mental illness, much less how to parent a child with such a diagnosis. For years we floundered trying to find a knowledgeable psychiatrist, get a correct diagnosis, determine the best medications, find a decent therapist, and come up with some effective behavior techniques. Along the way we struggled with family issues, school issues, and church issues, and frequently felt very isolated in our struggle. As we wrestled with these concerns, we often asked ourselves, “Where is God in all of this? What is His plan? What larger purpose did God have in mind when He chose us to love and care for this precious child?” I invite you to join me on a journey that will take us to the heart of God. God has so much He wants us to learn about HIM! He wants to set us free from what our idea of life should look like and enjoy the abundant life He has prepared for us. As we search His Word and discover His unfailing promises, we will uncover precious treasures. Like opening a nesting doll, we will bring to light one treasure after another—each one uniquely beautiful and precious—designed with you in mind! "He will be the sure foundation for your times,a rich storehouse of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure." Is. 33:6 God has treasures prepared for us that our minds cannot even begin to conceive! Let’s unlock His Word and open it together to see what God wants to reveal to us—about ourselves, about the journey we’re on, and ultimately about Him!