Author: TyiaLynn
Located in: Louisville, KY
Submitted: April 07, 2025
Tell us a little about yourself. I am the mother of three wonderfully unique children, ranging from college to elementary school. Alongside my husband, Beau, I am continually working on abiding in my Creator, investing in my children and savoring friendships. Professionally, I was co-owner of a small consulting firm for sixteen years. Then in 2015, shifted focus and founded Critically Loved, a nonprofit dedicated to helping families of critically and chronically ill children navigate a difficult road. My own daughter was diagnosed with life-threatening internal bleeding at age 5 and it took years to learn how to practically manage my daughter's healthcare. Not wanting other parents to struggle like I did, I now put all professional energy into Critically Loved where I work full time. In addition to this book, I have authored Beyond Measure, a study in collaboration with The Mom Co (formerly MOPS, Int), and co-authored Building Family Unity While Navigating Special Needs.
What was your motivation behind this project? Wading through the emotional and spiritual challenges of managing my daughter's life-threatening condition, led to a place of much anger. How could God allow my child to suffer in such a way?? Anger inevitably cannot be contained and spilled out in overflow, affecting not only every person in our home, but also my own health. Learning how to lay that anger down and to crawl up in His Lap for comfort was a process friends helped me through. One I want to help others navigate - so they too don't stay stuck in anger as I did for years.
What do you hope folks will gain from this project? I pray this book with help others wade through the murky waters of special needs parenting and make it to the bank on the other side. To dry land where they can find rest. While their child's condition may not change and life may still be hard, there is a space where rest (and even joy) can be found when we lay our children at His Trustworthy Feet. I pray this book helps parents not only get to that space, but they learn how to get back there again much sooner the next time they are struggling to keep their head above the rushing waters.
How were you personally impacted by working on this project? This book was very therapeutic to write - processing all of the emotions of my own personal journey, which I thought it would be. What I am continually surprised at though, is how much benefit I also receive while working through the book with parents we serve. Even though I wrote the materials, I often need reminders to get my eyes back on Jesus and to lay my child at His Trustworthy Feet. To lay down the anger. Again. And again. And again..... While in ER at 3am. While watching my child suffer. While life doesn't make sense, and I just want her to be made well. This book is my reminder that God can indeed be trusted with all parts of my life, even the hard ones.
Who are your influences, sources of inspiration or favorite authors / artists? The most influential people in my life are my family. My grandparents, Bob and Clara Zoeller, for their example of sacrificial generosity. My dad, Bruce, for being the most Godly man I know. He has such focus on being a Christ follower that every decision in his life is based on that foundation. My momma, Rose, for her servant's heart; such an example of what it means to love like Jesus.
My favorite Bible teacher is Priscilla Shirer! Not only is she inspiring and tuned into Holy Spirit leading, but the way she stands firm against the attacks of the enemy is awe inspiring. I often listen to clips of her teaching when needing a refocus. To step back into warrior mentality - and the power available to us as children of the Most High King.
I also am inspired by my pastor, Kyle Idleman. The way he stands firm on the teaching of the Word and isn't afraid to press into hard topics has tremendously helped my spiritual growth.
Anything else you'd like readers / listeners to know: Critically Loved never charges families for any of our services. If you would like to be a part of our zoom Bible studies or receive a free medical binder to organize your child's healthcare, you can get connected with us at criticallyloved.org and click "Stay in the Know".
If you would like to lead this study in your own special needs parent small group, TyiaLynn is happy to join the last week via zoom for a time of Q&A as the author.
