PODCAST · religion
Holy Ground Parenting
by Marie Kennedy
Christian parenting in the special needs world. A faith-based, real life look at the highs and lows of special needs parenting from a mom living it.
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12
Holding On To Each Other: Marriage & Special Needs Parenting
Send us Fan MailHey y’all, welcome back to Holy Ground Parenting.This week’s episode is a special one—as my husband Stephen and I celebrate 10 years of marriage, I’ve been reflecting on what it really looks like to stay connected through the ups and downs of special needs parenting.Marriage is a journey in itself, but when you add in the stress, exhaustion, and unpredictability that can come with raising a child with extra needs, it can stretch your relationship in ways you didn’t expect.In this episode, I’m sharing honestly about what that has looked like for us—the hard seasons, the growth, and the ways we’ve had to learn to lean on God and on each other. Our scriptures this week are Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 and Colossians 3:13. We talk about how we’re not the same people we were 10 years ago, and how in many ways, we’ve grown up together through every season life has brought our way.If you’re in a season where your marriage feels strained, tired, or just different than it used to be, I hope this episode encourages you.Because even in the hard seasons, God is still at work—strengthening, refining, and holding it all together.God doesn't call us to be perfect, He just wants us to keep showing up. You are not alone in this.Support the showPlease join our Facebook group where I’ll share new episodes! https://www.facebook.com/share/g/17rnZH959w/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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Meeting Pearl: When Answered Prayers Don't Look Like You Expected
Send us Fan MailHey y’all, welcome back to Holy Ground Parenting.This episode is a special one—and an honest one.Over the past couple of weeks, our family traveled to training to meet Evie’s autism service dog, Pearl. It’s something we prayed for, hoped for, and waited on for a long time. But when the moment finally came… it didn’t look the way I expected.Evie’s first reaction to Pearl was fear, not excitement. The first several days of training were hard as both Evie and Pearl adjusted—new environment, new routines, and a lot of big emotions. There were moments of discouragement where I wondered if things would ever click.But slowly, over time, something began to shift.By the end of our time there, Evie started to feel more comfortable—and on our last night, after everything we had walked through, Pearl climbed into bed with her… and they slept side by side all night.In this episode, I’m sharing the full story—the hard, the unexpected, and the beautiful reminder that sometimes answered prayers don’t come instantly… they’re built over time.If you’re in a season where something isn’t going the way you hoped, I pray this episode encourages you to trust that God is still working in the process.Because sometimes the most meaningful things in life don’t happen all at once—they grow, little by little.Support the showPlease join our Facebook group where I’ll share new episodes! https://www.facebook.com/share/g/17rnZH959w/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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Celebrating the Wins (Even the Small Ones)
Send us Fan MailHey y’all, welcome back to Holy Ground Parenting.This week’s episode is all about celebrating the wins—even the small ones.In the middle of therapies, appointments, and the day-to-day challenges of special needs parenting, it can be easy to focus on what’s still hard. But in this episode, we’re slowing down to recognize the progress that often goes unnoticed—the small steps that are actually big victories.I’m sharing a recent “small win” with Evie as her communication continues to grow, and how moments like that remind me just how far she’s come.This episode also feels especially meaningful because as it releases, our family is on the way to training to meet Evie’s service dog, Pearl. It’s a moment filled with hope, gratitude, and a reminder that so much of this journey is built on small beginnings.We reflect on Psalm 126:3 and Philippians 4:8, grounding ourselves in the truth that God is at work in every step—even the ones that feel small.If you’re in a season where progress feels slow or hard to see, I hope this episode encourages you to pause, look closer, and celebrate the growth that’s already happening.Because those small wins? They matter more than you think.Support the showPlease join our Facebook group where I’ll share new episodes! https://www.facebook.com/share/g/17rnZH959w/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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The Loneliness of Special Needs Parenting
Send us Fan MailHey y’all, welcome back to Holy Ground Parenting.In this episode, we’re talking about a part of the special needs parenting journey that often goes unspoken—loneliness.The kind of loneliness that comes from feeling misunderstood… from having to constantly explain your child… and from navigating a life that looks different than what you once expected. It’s also the quiet moments of comparison—watching other families experience things that don’t come as easily for yours. Our anchor scripture this week comes from Deuteronomy 31:8 and our supporting scripture comes from Psalms 34:18. In this episode, I’m sharing honestly about what that has looked like in our journey, including the mix of emotions that can come with it—guilt, sadness, frustration, and everything in between.But we’re also holding onto truth: that even in those moments, we are not alone. God sees, He understands, and He walks with us in every part of this journey.If you’ve ever felt alone in your parenting, this episode is for you.As always, you are seen, you are supported, and you are not walking this road by yourself.Support the showPlease join our Facebook group where I’ll share new episodes! https://www.facebook.com/share/g/17rnZH959w/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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When Plans Change: Helping Our Kids Navigate Transitions
Send us Fan MailHey y’all! Welcome back to Holy Ground Parenting.In this episode, we’re talking about something that comes up often in the day-to-day life of special needs parenting—transitions.From leaving places our kids love to navigating unexpected changes in routine, even small shifts can feel really big for children on the spectrum. Our anchor scripture this week comes from Proverbs 16:9.We also reflect on Holy Week and the powerful reminder of how quickly things can shift—from celebration on Palm Sunday to the cross on Friday—and what that teaches us about trusting God in the middle of change.If your child struggles with transitions, or if you’re walking through a season of change yourself, I hope this episode encourages you to trust that God is present in every step—even the unexpected ones.As always, you are not alone in this journey.Support the showPlease join our Facebook group where I’ll share new episodes! https://www.facebook.com/share/g/17rnZH959w/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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7
Navigating the Public: When People Don't Understand Your Child
Send us Fan MailHey y’all! Welcome back to Holy Ground Parenting.Have you ever had a moment in public where your child did something unexpected and suddenly you felt like everyone around you was watching?For parents raising children with special needs, those moments can happen more often than we’d like. And sometimes the hardest part isn’t what our child did — it’s how other people respond.In this episode, I share a real moment Evie and I experienced with a stranger that left me feeling protective, frustrated, and later… a little disappointed in myself. We talk about the pressure special needs parents often feel to explain our children to the world, and how we can extend grace to ourselves when those moments don’t go the way we wish they had. Our anchor scripture this week is 1 Samuel 16:7.If you’ve ever walked away from a hard interaction wishing you had handled it differently, this episode is for you.And as always, we’ll remind ourselves of a comforting truth: even when people don’t understand our children, God does.Support the showPlease join our Facebook group where I’ll share new episodes! https://www.facebook.com/share/g/17rnZH959w/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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6
Through a Father's Eyes: Fear, Faith, and the Future
Send us Fan MailHey y’all! Welcome back to Holy Ground Parenting. I’m so glad you’re here.This week’s episode is a little different because I’m welcoming my very first guest — my husband, Stephen.Over the past few episodes, you’ve heard me share my heart about our journey through infertility, the NICU, autism, and the fears that can come with raising a child with special needs. But this journey didn’t just shape me — it shaped Stephen too.In this conversation, Stephen shares what special needs parenting has looked like through a father’s eyes. We talk about the fears dads sometimes carry quietly, the responsibility that comes with loving and protecting a child with extra needs, and what it looks like to trust God with the future when there are still so many unknowns.If you’re a parent walking this road — especially a dad who may not always say these things out loud — I hope this conversation reminds you that you’re not alone.Support the showPlease join our Facebook group where I’ll share new episodes! https://www.facebook.com/share/g/17rnZH959w/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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After the Diagnosis: Finding Yourself Again
Send us Fan MailHey y'all! Welcome back to Holy Ground Parenting. I'm so glad you're here! This week we are looking at what happens after the diagnosis. Our anchor scripture this week is Romans 8:1, and our supporting scripture is Esther 4:14 and Isaiah 43:1. I talk about the quiet lies we can sometimes tell ourselves, about the shame and doubt that can take over our thoughts, and about what we can do to find our identity in Christ again. I hope you get a blessing from it this week! Support the showPlease join our Facebook group where I’ll share new episodes! https://www.facebook.com/share/g/17rnZH959w/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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Caregiver Burnout: When You're Tired of Being Strong
Send us Fan MailHey y'all! Welcome back to Holy Ground Parenting. I’m so glad you’re here! In our episode this week we are going to talk about caregiver burnout and how Jesus tells us in Matthew to lay down our burdens. Our anchor Scripture this week is Matthew 11:28-30. The purpose of this episode is to talk openly and honestly about burnout, while also pointing to God for rest and restoration. We don't have to do it all on our own. I hope this week gives you a spiritual blessing!Support the showPlease join our Facebook group where I’ll share new episodes! https://www.facebook.com/share/g/17rnZH959w/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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Progress, Not Perfection: Finding Holy Ground in the Small Steps
Send us Fan MailWelcome back to Holy Ground Parenting! I’m so glad you’re here. In this week’s episode, I want to talk about seeing God in the small steps. We will focus on progress, not perfection in our parenting and in daily life. Our key scriptures this week will be Philippians 3:12-14 and Zechariah 4:10. So go reheat your coffee and settle in! I hope this week’s episode blesses you and reminds you that God is good and He sees it all, even the small steps. Support the showPlease join our Facebook group where I’ll share new episodes! https://www.facebook.com/share/g/17rnZH959w/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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Against All Hope: Our Story of Holy Ground Parenting
Send us Fan MailWelcome to Holy Ground Parenting! This is a safe, grace-filled space for Christian parents of autistic and special needs children. In this first episode I'll be introducing myself and my family, talk about why I'm doing this, and talk about Abraham's faith against all hope as referenced in Romans 4:18-25. I will round things out with a prayer and some encouragement for the week to come. My hope is that God is glorified through this and that it reaches those who feel like they are alone out there in this crazy world and lets them know that you are not alone. God chose you specifically to be your kid's parent and He has a special purpose for you and your children. So settle in, grab your coffee and Bible, and enjoy! My hope is at the end of this you feel a spiritual renewal and assurance that God loves you, God loves your babies, and you are doing a great job. Support the showPlease join our Facebook group where I’ll share new episodes! https://www.facebook.com/share/g/17rnZH959w/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Christian parenting in the special needs world. A faith-based, real life look at the highs and lows of special needs parenting from a mom living it.
HOSTED BY
Marie Kennedy
CATEGORIES
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