Sometimes we get discouraged with life’s starting place and we tend to stay stuck in that place. Here’s a few phrases that I’ve heard that have always caught my attention and actually a few I’ve spewed out of my own mouth over the years:
- I didn’t have a mom growing up and that’s why I…
- I didn’t have a dad growing up, so that’s why I…
- When I was a kid, I saw drugs constantly and that’s why I…
- Growing up, I saw a lot of ____, so I didn’t know the right way a man should treat a woman, so I…
- When I was a kid, I saw the Pastor do all kinds of crazy stuff, so that’s why I don’t…
- I watched my dad abuse my mom, so that’s why I …
- I don’t trust men, because I saw …
With Mother’s Day and Father’s Day being celebrated this time of year, it sometimes creates a pause for all of us. Some of our wounds tend to be exposed the most during this time because of the neglectful parents we may have had.
I want to encourage you all to respectfully look at where your feet are planted now, feel the pulse in your chest, hold a mirror below your bottom lip and breath on to it and notice the how the fog occupies the mirror. You are indeed alive. You’ve successfully maneuvered through some of the worst of times to read this.
I share many of these experiences with you from abandonment, neglect, molestation, and drugs. Regardless of how young I was in living out these experiences, the “tape hasn’t been erased in my head,” but forgiveness to move on has filled me.
After reading Romans 8:28,
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
While trusting this scripture, I’ve learned over time that no matter the chaos or circumstance I’ve been engulfed in, I will rise above it. It may take years but all I’m required to do is make it through the day, survive the night, and be given grace to see a new day so I can work on getting better. Every intersection and interaction I’ve had so far in life has been for someone else’s spiritual preparation. When you look over all of your trials, please remember your trials will help shape someone else’s spiritual return to Christ. Stay faithful, don’t lose hope, and know that all things not some things, all things work for His good.