Our Keepsake Journal is Here! 🎉

I consider myself a “reluctant caregiver.”

Let me explain. If I were God and I were looking for someone to be “the voice for caregivers” as I’ve weirdly become, I would not pick Jess Ronne.

I’m not that woman who loves everybody’s children. I’m not that woman who oohs over every newborn baby. I’m not even that woman who’s all that fond of my own offspring at times.

I’m not the mom who runs to bandage up boo-boos (that’s the dad in our house) or hurries to urgent care with every fall. I don’t dole out meds unless absolutely necessary or cuddle with sick kids all day on the couch.

I’m more of a “Here’s your movie and bucket. I’ll check on you, OK?” kind of mom.

I would be a horrible nurse. I don’t volunteer for nursery or Sunday school. Nor do I cry during sappy movies, except Benjamin Buttonevery single time.

And I don’t do words without deeds like, “I’ll be praying for y’all” with no follow-through. Not my cup of tea.

RELATED: I’m the Mother—What I Say Goes

I am the furthest thing from a Karen. I do not give two rips about how you raise your kids, but I sure do give a rip that you also mind your own business when it comes to how I raise mine.

I’m the buck-up buttercup girl! Dry your tears! And just keep livin’!

So odd, this caregiver space I find myself in.

But in his gracious wisdom, the Lord chose me to not only be a caregiver to my dying husband but also to eight children and a son who will require care for the rest of his life.

A Moses situation, for sure. Although, in my defense, I didn’t require a burning bush before I got to work.

Again, I’m not sure why He thought I’d be an ideal candidate for this role, maybe because I was willing? Perhaps because I obeyed and took baby steps forward in faith? Maybe because I’ve surrendered every step to His perfect and holy will?

I really don’t know, but here I am trying to be a voice in the wilderness, trying to obtain support for families, and trying to make a tiny bit of a difference in the lives of special needs caregivers.

What I do know is that being a caregiver has been the most life-changing experience of my life.

It has molded and shaped and broken me in a million ways.

It has literally burned away any pride that threatened to stand in the way. It has taught me that words without deeds are meaningless. It has taught me grace and compassion and mercy in spades.

RELATED: Dear Special Needs Mama, You’re Doing Great

I’m a doer, a fixer, a mover, and a shaker, not a dweller, a moper, or a woe-is-me-er.

There’s a problem? Let’s fix it, by golly!

Maybe that’s why the Almighty saw fit to tag me, “Duck, duck, goose!”

And so I’ll continue to waddle my way through this strange terrain of caregiver advocacy. I’ll continue to raise my voice and use my platform. I’ll continue to buck when he calls me to speak, “Not me Lord! Choose my brother!”

I’ll continue to drop to my knees and humbly ask, “What’s next?” And I’ll move forward in faithful obedience and, lest the ego ever get the best of me, I’ll continue to rise, every day, and serve my son who will require this of me until the day I die.

So God Made a Mother book by Leslie Means

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A MOTHER available now!

Order Now

Check out our new Keepsake Companion Journal that pairs with our So God Made a Mother book!

Order Now
So God Made a Mother's Story Keepsake Journal

Jess Ronne

I’m an author, teacher, wife, non-profit director, special needs advocate and mom of 8. A few years back, we traded in our Michigan snow shovels for humidity and sweet tea in the South & we’ve never looked back. You’ll often find me on social media chatting about faith, grief, food, simplicity, blended families, gardening, special needs, and everything else in between. 

Dear Special Needs Mama, You’ll Find Your Voice

In: Child, Kids, Motherhood
Baby on oxygen, sleeping, color photo

Motherhood is uniquely experienced by all. No two mothers are the same, and no two babies are the same. So understandably, we all go through a trying to figure out what is best for us phase of parenthood. We receive unsolicited advice from every well-meaning acquaintance we’ve ever met. We are bombarded on social media with everything we should or should not be doing. We are surrounded by constant tips—that for a first-time mom can be incredibly overwhelming. Enter me . . .  As a first-time mother of a baby with special needs, I questioned myself at every turn. When...

Keep Reading

This is the Part of Special Needs Parenting No One Talks About

In: Motherhood
Exhausted mom head in hands

I understand that generalizations can be upsetting, so I want everyone to be clear I am not clumping all special needs parents into the confines of this idea. Every single special needs parent handles the day-to-day in their own way, and I respect that. I know for myself, I wished I had found some encouragement in the form of our reality via the internet. I hope by sharing a piece of my heart someone going through the same daily struggles might find they aren’t alone in their feelings and hardships. Friends, we are all together in this, and for some...

Keep Reading

What Will My Son’s Future Hold When He’s No Longer a Little Boy?

In: Motherhood
Picture of boy as toddler and child, color photos

Is this our forever? A good friend recently asked me what kinds of things Leo was interested in these days?  “Toy Story, like always,” I responded, chuckling at the thought of how often I’d responded similarly over the years. For as long as I can remember, Leo has been transfixed by the popular series of films. His love for Sheriff Woody, Buzz, Andy, and the rest of the Pixar gang have stood the test of time, resulting in a most impressive collection of Toy Story merchandise from figurines, to plush dolls, books, T-shirts, and the like. But more importantly, they...

Keep Reading