Acceptance: Learning to Live, Grieve, and Thrive in a Life You Didn’t Expect

This Unexpected Life

Acceptance: Learning to Live, Grieve, and Thrive in a Life You Didn’t Expect

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In this episode, Carrie Holt closes her grief-cycle series by exploring acceptance, a stage often misunderstood in the journey of raising a child with disabilities or receiving an unexpected diagnosis. Carrie explains what acceptance is not—it’s not “moving on,” it’s not pretending everything is fine, or always a permanent emotional destination. Instead, she unpacks acceptance as surrender, rest, identity rebuilding, active waiting, learning to see God’s beauty again, and believing that life can still hold goodness even when it looks different than what we planned. Through Scripture, honest reflection, and practical insights, this episode invites special-needs moms to gently receive the life they’re living—while trusting the One who holds their future.

Eps. 30; November 11, 2025

Resources:
Why Fixing Feels So Heavy & Acceptance (and Acceptance Feels So Light) with Carrie Holt

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Volume 5
How Can You Survive Without…Part 1 – Wild At Heart Podcast with John Eldredge

If you enjoyed the show, leave a 5-star review!

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• My book: The Other Side of Special

*This podcast features honest conversations with special needs parents and faith-filled guests. While I deeply value the stories and insights shared, the views and opinions expressed may not always reflect my own. Any resources listed are shared for reference, not necessarily a personal recommendation. I invite you to listen with spiritual discernment and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in what you hold onto and set aside.