Rebecca English believed motherhood was her calling, but she never envisioned a purpose that reached beyond that perspective. Her first son’s birth was not what she expected. Delivered forcefully with a vacuum assist, her baby suffered a seizure shortly after entering the world. In the months that followed, Rebecca clung to the hope that her child was developing normally. But by six months old, subtle signs began to stir her heart, signs that something wasn’t right.
The pediatrician reassured her, “Every child develops at their own pace.” Still, Rebecca felt God whispering to her spirit: Pay attention. Don’t wait.
Rebecca turned to her mother, Betsy Green, for guidance. As an experienced educator and elementary principal, Betsy shared her daughter’s concerns. Together, they began praying fervently for wisdom, then pouring over research for answers.
Together with my mom, we began researching his challenges and looking for ways to help him thrive. But no matter how hard we searched, we couldn’t find a guide to help parents in a similar situation—nothing that walked through the process step by step.
It was during those sleepless nights and tearful prayers that Rebecca realized God was planting a seed for something bigger.
“At first, I asked, ‘Why me? Why my child? Why this trial?” Rebecca says. “But over time, I began to see this wasn’t a punishment—it was preparation. God was calling me to use this experience to encourage and equip other moms walking through the same valley.”
Before the book, Rebecca often found herself sending long, heartfelt messages to parents in need, including one 10-page text to a desperate mother who had reached out for help. That moment crystallized her calling. “This is what God created me to do,” she realized.
A mother-daughter mission
Together, Rebecca and Betsy wrote Little Steps, Big Wins: A Step-by-Step Guide to Early Intervention. The book begins in the delivery room and follows their journey of recognizing the early signs of developmental delays, navigating doctors’ appointments, and seeking interventions. It offers practical steps for parents to advocate for their children and, most importantly, reminds them to lean on God’s faithfulness in every season.
Rebecca wrote most of the chapters, drawing from her lived experiences. Betsy stepped in as editor and encourager, helping her daughter remember key details and refine her words.
“As Christians, we didn’t want this book to just be about strategies,” Rebecca says. “We wanted it to be about surrendering the process to God—praying, taking notes, praying again, and trusting Him with the outcome.”
The process of writing brought the mother and daughter closer, but it also deepened their faith. “For some children, delays aren’t noticed until kindergarten,” Betsy explains.“At that stage, it’s possible to catch up—but it often comes at a cost. Parents that notice these deficiencies at age 2 and 3 have a better chance with early intervention to help their child be more ready for kindergarten by the time they turn 5.”
Rebecca knows how overwhelming those early steps can feel. She’s even coached parents through phone calls to pediatricians, helping them find the courage to voice their concerns. “You have to love people through it,” she says. “That’s what I would want someone to do for me.”
Little steps, eternal impact
The book’s title reflects their belief that God uses even the smallest acts of faith to bring about great victories. “Sometimes the smallest steps lead to the biggest wins,” Rebecca says.
Since self-publishing the book through Amazon, the response has affirmed their sense of calling. One Facebook post about the book drew over 3,500 views in an hour. Several friends purchased copies in support, but at least one went to a mom who admitted that it came as an answered prayer.
“We certainly don’t have all the answers,” Rebecca says. “But if we don’t give God glory for what He’s done, then we’ve missed the whole point.”
The authors
Betsy Green is an elementary school principal in Lumpkin County. She holds a doctorate in education and has worked in administration and the classroom for over two decades.
Rebecca English is a former teacher turned full-time mom of three. She also cares for her grandmother, who has dementia, and helps her husband run their family business. Together, they see Little Steps, Big Wins not just as a book but as a ministry.
“This isn’t just about my child anymore,” Rebecca says. “This is about showing other parents that even in the hardest moments, God is working. He sees them. He loves them. And He can turn their pain into purpose.”
For more “Little Steps, Big Wins”, follow Rebecca English on TikTok and Facebook.
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Carly McCurry is the publisher of The Cute North Georgian magazine. Her work appears on NowHabersham.com in partnership with Now Network News.
