Champion for Charlie
Hey friends, long-timers among you may recognize this author, whom I first welcomed to the blog in 2016 after the release of her first book, Chosen for Charlie: When God Gifts You With a Special-Needs Child. You can read that conversation here. Now Jen Forsthoff has written a follow-up book, Champion for Charlie: Rise Up and Advocate for Your Child. In it, she offers biblical insights into what it means to advocate for a special-needs child. Although Jen writes from the perspective of championing her daughter with Down syndrome, her practical application of Scripture, personable stories, and hard-won wisdom will resonate with parents of all children, period.
Read on to learn more about Jen, Charlie, and their story behind the story.
Welcome back, Jen! It’s been five years since your first book, Chosen for Charlie. Please tell us a bit about what prompted this follow up.
The motivation behind the new book, Champion for Charlie, came from our personal journey as a family and the overwhelming reality that so many families have a similar journey in raising a child with special-needs. In our experience with Charlie, we continue to face moments where we don’t feel like we have what it takes to be the parents we think we should be or who we think she needs us to be. We want to be strong, we want to be brave, we want to have it all together and help our children succeed, but life gets the best of us at times. Challenges come, disappointment can set in, and our hearts need hope. We need to be reminded that God has called us to this role as the parents chosen for our children. And our purpose is to champion for our children for his glory.
But before we can effectively advocate and champion for our children, I believe that a healthy foundation needs to be set in place. If our hearts are hurting and weary, we need to surrender and accept the help from our Heavenly Father, who is advocating for us as parents. We need our Savior to heal our soul, so that our championing is rooted in something deeper and greater than ourselves. We have a Savior who advocates for us and for our children, and when we take hold of who he is and the work he wants to do our lives, we can champion in amazing ways that will not only impact our child, but other families, our community, our schools, our churches- God can use us as vessels in our championing for his glory in a beautiful way!
In what practical ways do you envision Champion for Charlie helping moms and dads champion their own children?
I see Champion for Charlie meeting parents right where they are, no matter where they are in the journey. Whether you have young children or grown children, a child with physical challenges or cognitive, severe or mild there will be a heart connection in this book. Our families might be different but I believe we all share the same types of moments- the tough moments that reveal our heart’s burden for our children (a difficult report in doctor’s office, a discouraging meeting with a teacher, stress and tension in our homes, a breakdown moment when we are all alone). These tough moments always lead us to a decision. A decision in which we choose to rise up and keep going, because we love our children. We choose to believe that there is more, that God is not done with us and our child. We rise up to believe that breakthrough is possible and that there is hope for the future.
I also see spiritual and practical equipping taking place in the hearts of readers. Throughout the book, I share biblical principles that will serve as a foundation for godly parenting. Readers will be encouraged with promises parents can find in the Bible, application and testimonies to walk out their faith and build their hope for the future. I love that readers will also hear from other experts in education, medicine, ministry and fellow parents. These advocate allies help us learn and glean wisdom when it comes to advocating in various ways.
In the book you say, “We can champion best when our minds are set on the promises and truths God has given us about our children.” Indeed, one of the things that sets Champion for Charlie apart from other advocacy books is its thorough rootedness in God’s Word. Can you give us an example of how this works for you?
I have found that the Bible is my best resource a parent. God’s word is alive, it is for today, it is timeless in its application and how the spirit of God can speak to us in our unique situation and the season we are experiencing. The ultimate standard for my parenting is not mirroring another admirable parent; it is not found in my own ambitions and expectations I put on myself. The word of God is my standard. As I read the Bible, I discover how to better love my child, believe for the impossible, and build my faith for what God can do for our family as I consider what he has done for others. My writing is rooted in God’s Word because I strive to be rooted in God’s word. It serves as a foundation that does not waver. I want to point parents to the word and work of God, which has no blemish or fault, but is pure and perfect. My parenting experience has not been perfect, but the word of God is and will not disappoint as parents continue to champion for their children.
Another aspect that struck me is that you seem to share your story not merely to relate to other parents in similar situations but in order to point them toward Jesus. In fact, you say, “If we look anywhere other than to the Great Healer in our times of need, we will remain overwhelmed, overburdened, and exhausted.” What does this look like for you in everyday life?
Jesus is the one who knows the true condition of my heart, the needs of my soul, even beyond what I can express. In everyday life, I have an on-going relationship with Jesus that is tended to and cultivated through prayer, worship, reading my Bible and surrenduring my will and my needs to the Lord. I take time each day as a mother to pray for my children. I listen to bible teachings to strengthen my heart and speak to the season I am in. I connect with other women who love Jesus and can encourage me in my personal relationship with Him. I am committed to our church and gather with other believers to worship and listen to Bible teaching each week. I believe that I was created to have a relationship with the Father, through Jesus Christ, and it’s a relationship which will carry me into eternity with him.
Besides God’s promises and your relationship with Jesus, what other things bring you encouragement along the way?
I am encouraged by family and friends in my life. The way they love Charlie, celebrate her, encourage her– it means so much to me and encourages my heart. I am encouraged when I see Charlie enjoying life. I love to see her play with her siblings and talk about her friends from school. I am encouraged when I know others are praying for our family and Charlie’s needs.
One of the greatest sources of encouragement comes from my husband, Lucas. I am so grateful God gave us one another to raise our children together as a team. There are times I feel tired, and Lucas has energy and strength to keep going. There are times I am worried about a situation, and Lucas brings a perspective that encourages my heart and helps me to see things differently. There are times I don’t feel like a good mom and he is there to speak life and love into my life, and he is there to be my friend. We are better together and there is no one else I rather do life with than Lucas.
What’s next for you and Charlie?
Well, it won’t be long before we have a teenager on our hands! Everyone told us “they grow up fast,” and I believe it! With a teenage Charlie in our home, there will be a new set of challenges and joys ahead. We will continue to trust God and learn and grow as parents.
And we will continue to walk through open doors to support and encourage families. A new book with a new message is already stirring in my heart for the future, and we are excited to follow God’s leading for the details!
God is good. God is faithful. We will continue to trust him as the ultimate champion for Charlie and our family!
Thank you, Jen! It’s a privilege to have you here, as always.
About this book:
If you feel weary or overwhelmed with life as the parent or caregiver of a special-needs child, there is hope.
Doctors’ appointments, parent-teacher meetings, stressful moments at home and in social settings, along with countless other challenges, are part of life when you love a special-needs child. Each year, your child’s needs grow and change, as does your need for strength, wisdom, and support. Some days, you may doubt that you have what it takes to fulfill your role—as a mother, father, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or friend—and be a champion for a precious child.
Rest assured, you are not alone. In Champion for Charlie, Jen Forsthoff offers biblical insights into what it means to be a champion for your child. Through practical application of God’s Word and personal, relatable stories, you’ll learn how to better advocate for your child—and how to find the support you need.
The truth is, some days the responsibility and challenges seem impossible. In this book, Jen invites you to rise up and find hope in the truth that God equips those whom He calls into this challenging and worthy role.
Buy the book here.
About the author:
Jen Forsthoff lives in southeast Michigan with her husband and three children, where she is an author, advocate, and worship leader at Cornerstone Church. Follow Jen and discover more ways to connect at jenforsthoff.com.