When You Finally Make It to Church… and This Happens

In today’s episode, Frances shares a powerful story every autism caregiver knows far too well: the fight to get to church, the exhaustion behind the scenes, and the pain of being turned away. She unpacks the emotional and spiritual toll moments like this create—and what Scripture actually says about disability, belonging, and God’s heart for His people.

This is an invitation for the church to do better and a healing reminder for caregivers: God has never rejected you.

1. The invisible emotional labor of caregivers on Sunday mornings
2. How lack of inclusion leads to spiritual trauma
3. What Jesus teaches about disability in John 9
4. How the church should treat families with disabilities
5. Scripture-based comfort for caregivers who feel unseen or unwelcome
6. Practical encouragement for how to recover emotionally after being hurt in a church setting

1. Matthew 11:28 – “Come to me, all you who are weary…”
2. John 9:1–3 – The man born blind and God’s glory
3. Psalm 139:14 – Fearfully and wonderfully made
4. 1 Corinthians 12:22, 26 – The indispensable members of the body
5. Hebrews 13:5 – “Never will I leave you…”
6. Mark 10:14 – “Do not hinder them…”
7. Isaiah 40:11 – The Shepherd carrying His flock
8. Exodus 33:14 – “My presence will give you rest.”

You will find comfort, validation, and a reminder that:

1. You are not alone.
2. Your family is not a burden.
3. Your child is not a distraction to God.
4. You are welcomed, seen, and held by Him.

This episode challenges the Body of Christ to:

1. Understand the emotional cost caregivers carry
2. Recognize disability inclusion as discipleship, not inconvenience
3. Create safe, accessible spaces for families
4. Lead with hospitality, understanding, and love

Summary

In this episode of Shifting the Spectrum, Frances Carroll addresses the challenges faced by caregivers, particularly mothers of children on the autism spectrum. She emphasizes the importance of shifting from a survival mindset to one of stability and possibility. Through personal reflections and scriptural insights, she encourages listeners to embrace new possibilities and take actionable steps towards finding support and lightening their load. The conversation is rooted in faith and the belief that God is actively working in their lives, providing a path forward.

Takeaways

Caregiving can lead to exhaustion and financial worries.

Feeling weary may indicate a need for change.

Survival mode can cost you your peace.

Beliefs can keep you stuck in your situation.

Shifting from survival to stability is essential.

God is doing something new in our lives.

We need to renew our minds to perceive God's plans.

Speaking life and affirmations is important.

Journaling can help clarify what support is needed.

Community support can accelerate personal shifts.

Titles

Shifting Perspectives on Caregiving

Finding Stability in Caregiving Chaos

Sound bites

"Survival mode has a cost"

"Our thinking can get stinking"

"Make an affirmation"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Caregiving Challenges

02:59 The Need for a Shift in Mindset

06:03 Embracing New Possibilities

08:49 Taking Action and Finding Support

Beloved Caregivers Don’t Break, We Bend: Finding Strength in Flexibility

In this episode of 'Shifting the Spectrum with Frances', we explore the resilience of caregivers, comparing their flexibility to that of palm trees which bend, but do not break, in storms. Through prayer and reflection, Frances discusses the importance of faith, adaptability, and rest in caregiving. She emphasizes that needing renewal does not equate to weakness and encourages caregivers to find strength by leaning on God.

The episode concludes with a ‘SHIFT’ approach to caregiving, highlighting surrender, honoring limits, inviting God into adjustments, finding guilt-free rest, and trusting in renewal.

00:00 Introduction: The Resilience of Palm Trees

01:13 Episode Introduction: Caregivers Don't Break, We Bend

01:35 Opening Prayer for Caregivers

02:29 Redefining Strength and Endurance

04:23 The Importance of Rest and Renewal

06:46 Declaration of Strength and Renewal

07:27 The SHIFT Framework for Caregivers

08:37 Conclusion: Permission to Bend and Adjust