The Be Mighty Mom Ministry
I Confronted Ableism And Here’s What God Taught Me
Hello Reader
“They honked at us.”
“Wait, what?” I needed clarification. We had just loaded our two kids, along with Maximus’s wheelchair. We weren’t taking our time. We just wanted to get home.
“Yeah. That’s why I’m taking my time.”
Mike was slowly sipping his water, but that was not going to fly with me. How could someone watch us load a child-sized wheelchair and then, just seconds later, honk at us to hurry up? That is ableism. It’s prioritizing convenience over compassion and treating our family like an inconvenience.
I unbuckled my seatbelt, got out of the car, and walked up to their window.
“Did you really just honk at us after watching us load our children and our son’s wheelchair?” I wasn’t yelling. I was calm. The driver avoided eye contact, and the passenger went off on me. I walked away, got back in our car, and that’s when I heard Maximus.
He was wailing. Sobbing. Completely undone. “I want to keep you. I want to keep Mama. I want to keep my bestie.” My poor guy. He thought I was getting out of the car and never coming back. He got so upset he ended up getting sick. I rushed to him, tried to comfort him, and tried to clean him up all at once.
And suddenly I questioned everything.
Had I done the right thing by calling out the ableism? Because if not me, then who? Or should I have just let Mike drive off so we could get home and avoid all of this?
It left me thinking a lot about how God tests us.
God doesn’t cause situations like this, but He does use them to form our character, deepen our compassion, sharpen our calling, increase our endurance, strengthen our voice, and so much more.
In the future, I’m not sure I would handle the situation the same way, knowing how Maximus reacted. But I do know this: I will keep using discernment. I will continue to call out ableism when necessary and I will also protect my son’s emotional needs at the same time.
Stay Mighty,
Devotional of the Week
James 1:3 (NIV)
Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
There are moments in motherhood that catch us off guard. The ones that ask more of us than we were prepared to give. Moments that stir up anger, confusion, protectiveness, and fear all at the same time. Moments that leave us wondering if we responded the “right” way or if we let our emotions get ahead of us.
That situation in the parking lot was one of those moments. It showed me that sometimes what feels like a test isn’t about proving anything, it’s about shaping us. It’s about growing our discernment, deepening our compassion, and strengthening our voice as moms raising autistic and medically complex kids. God uses moments like these to stretch our faith, refine our character, and teach us how to stand up for what’s right without losing sight of the hearts we’re protecting.
Not every situation needs our reaction, but some moments become part of our calling. And God promises that when our faith is tested, He will meet us in the tension. He is guiding us, maturing us, and helping us grow into the moms He’s raising us to be.
Reflection
As moms, we constantly walk the line between protecting our children and protecting their peace. Situations that feel unfair or hurtful can pull out the fiercest parts of us. But even in those moments, God is forming something inside of us.
He teaches us when to speak and when to stay silent, how to advocate without losing ourselves, and how to discern what truly matters.
You are not failing when you feel shaken. You are growing. You are learning. You are becoming more grounded, more compassionate, and more aware of what your child needs in each moment. God isn’t testing you to see if you’ll fall.
He’s strengthening you so you can stand.
Journal Prompt
In what areas of your life do you feel like your faith is being tested right now? How is God shaping your compassion, courage, or discernment through these situations?
A Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for meeting me in the moments that feel overwhelming or unclear. Help me grow in discernment as I navigate the situations that affect my child and our family. Strengthen my voice, steady my emotions, and guide my steps so that I can respond in a way that honors You and protects my child’s heart. When my faith is stretched, remind me that You are shaping me, not shaming me.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
