Empowered by Hope

Send us a text, we want to hear from you! Some weeks call for a pause. Last week, we were scheduled to release a new episode sharing a valuable resource for medical parents. But with everything that unfolded in our country, it felt important to step back, take a breath, and model what we so often encourage within this community: giving ourselves space and grace when things feel heavy, and allowing time to process before pressing on. So this week, we’re revisiting a conversation from the early days of Empowered by Hope—an episode that has quietly carried many parents through dark nights. We’ll return to our planned new episodes next week. Originally shared in February of 2023, this episode centers on a question that sits in the chest and refuses to leave when a child is hurting: Why does God allow suffering, especially when it involves our children? For many parents, this question emerges through faith language; for others, it rises as a deeper, human longing for meaning, justice, or understanding. However it shows up for you, the weight of it is real. And in moments like the ones we’re living through now—when suffering and injustice feel overwhelming and impossible to make sense of—this question often returns. We don’t try to fix what can’t be fixed with tidy answers. Instead, we tell the truth about fear, anger, guilt, resentment, and the moments we felt abandoned—alongside the moments we were surprised by peace. Together, we name four anchors that actually hold: Rejecting shame and the reflex to blame ourselves for a diagnosisLeaning into a grounding truth many parents find strength in: that our children are deeply loved, and that their pain is not meaninglessAllowing reflection or prayer—raw, repetitive, sometimes wordless—to be exactly what it is, without polishing or performancePracticing acceptance without agreement with suffering, so we can make clear decisions, listen for wisdom, and keep showing up for the child we adoreIf you’ve ever stood in a hospital hallway and wondered how to walk back into a room full of beeps and worry, this episode offers presence over platitudes, honesty over explanations, and space to face the full breadth of your emotions without judgment. Sometimes hope begins not with answers, but with the relief of not holding it all by ourselves. We kindly ask that you share this podcast with other families who might benefit from our insights and support. Additionally, please take a brief moment to leave a review on your preferred podcast platform, which helps us to reach as many families as possible who are navigating this challenging journey, so they can find our support circle and access the assistance they rightfully deserve. No one should walk this journey alone. To get more personal support, connect with us directly at: https://parentempowermentnetwork.org Facebook: Parent Empowerment Network Instagram: ParentEmpowermentNetwork Join the Parent Empowerment Network Community of Hope Get your copy of She is Charlotte: A Mother’s Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Journey with Her Child with Medical Complexities by Emily K Whiting on Amazon