When I was a teenager, I would look at the other kids at church and think I had absolutely nothing in common with them. They must all love being there every Sunday and Wednesday and never fight their parents about going. They must never wish they could do all the things their friends at school were doing. They must never sit on the row and be insecure because they weren’t sure if their church friends were going to talk to them that day. They must have it all together.
There was even one day in Sunday school in 10th grade when we divided into stations to talk about issues teenagers faced. I went to the station on peer pressure and to my absolute shock, I was the only one! That further reinforced my belief that I alone was being pulled in by the undertow. Over time, with no one I felt I could relate to on the shore, I gave in to the strong current.
What grieves me now is that other kids were going through some of the same stuff I was, at least to an extent, but no one was talking about it. I didn’t know. Many of us felt isolated in our secret struggles, whatever they might have been. Late in my senior year (which was the low point for me), I was at a party with some friends and a girl from my church was there. I didn’t know her very well at the time. She told my boyfriend to spill some dirt on me because it was killing her to think I could be so perfect. Are you kidding me? Partly because of who my mom was, and partly because it’s in our nature to think everyone else has it altogether but us, she had this very, very false perception that I didn’t struggle.
Her words haunted me for the next year. I felt so bad that she had the wrong idea and that I had allowed the masquerade to persist. Eventually, the guilt got to me and I invited this friend to meet me for lunch. During our time together I was finally able to take off the mask. At that point I was a freshman in college and the Lord was delivering me out of the pit I had been in. Thankfully, I was also able to share the work He was currently doing in my life.
That friend was one of the first people I ever shared those struggles with. It was not easy for me, but it felt so good to be real with her. It marked a turning point in my life toward authenticity. I’ve found that it does me no good to surround myself with pretenders and it does others no good for me to be a pretender.
Two weeks ago Curtis and I were at a very low place in our parenting experience. Jackson’s behavior had brought us to our knees and we felt hopeless. Annabeth was at my parents’ house and we were driving in the car with him to Wednesday night church. Both of us were in tears because we were so frustrated. I asked Curt if this is how it was going to be for the next 15 years – us hating ourselves because we feel like failures and not even recognizing who we’d become. Neither one of us wakes up in the morning hoping we can spend the whole day disciplining our three-year-old, you know? We were seriously at our wits end.
Curt, trying to console me a bit, told me that his best friend had recently asked him how things were going with our two. Curt had told him that things were fine. His friend’s reply was, “Thank God. If you’d told me things were good, I don’t know what I would have done.” Our friends are also in the trenches with their newborn and their two-year-old son. What if Curt had told him everything was great even though it wasn’t? All four of us would have felt alone and like failures.
That night after Bible study, our Sunday school teacher and his wife summoned all the couples from our class over to a table. In tears, he shared a struggle they were having with their three-year-old daughter. They were at their wits end. They felt hopeless. Like failures. He literally said they wondered if this is how it was going to be for the next 15 years.
So we’re not the only ones? We’re not the only ones!
Curt raised his hand and said, “Us too!”
We were able to spend some time praying for one another. I can’t tell you how encouraged Curtis and I felt. We had walked into church that night in despair and we left with hope.
You know what’s crazy? That very night we saw a change in our son. And since then, his heart has been a little softer and a little quicker to respond to discipline. We saw the hand of God move in our situation – from our friends’ vulnerability that let us know we weren’t alone to our kid’s softened heart.
People need us to be real. Of course, I don’t mean “real” to the point that we’re trying to shock others with our sin nature. We don’t need to let it all hang out. I have struck out many times on this. We must be Spirit-filled to walk the fine line.
When we’re authentic, two things happen. One, we encourage others who are struggling in the same way. And two, we allow ourselves to be encouraged by others who have been there.
I was once an incredibly self-righteous person. I was proud of being good. Then God let me eat it and I saw what was really in my heart. There was nothing good there. I learned to surrender my weak self to Jesus every single day and let Him change my heart. If I stopped doing that, I’d turn right back into my old self. That is the scariest thought ever. The stakes are especially high now that I’m a wife and a mother. So I no longer care to portray a false sense of goodness or perfection. I want to show others that He is good and He has is all together. He can take a heart that craves sin and make it thirst for righteousness. He can take a Failure and make her a Victor. He can take our struggles and turn them into strengths. That’s what He’s done for me, what He’s doing for me, and what He’ll keep doing for me until He takes me home.
For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. (2 Corinthians 4:5-7)
Amanda,
Thank you for exposing yourself with honesty and transparency. This genuity is what God desires in the body of Christ. Wearing masks does nothing but put “false pretenses” out for everyone to see- and honestly, its lying. Thanks for the encouraging example.
If anything, I know that parenting has taught me so much about me as a child of God. It makes me praise Him for His patience and faithfulness! Annabeth and Jackson are blessed to have you and Curtis.
Much love,
Tara
Thank you for that Amanda!!
When I got home from work today my 5 year old daughter started laughing at me and asked me what was wrong with my pants.
It turns out that I had a rather unfortunately placed brown stain on the back of my khaki pants. On closer examination it appears that I sat in some chocolate – must have happened in the cafeteria at lunch.
Clearly, I have to quit my job and move to another city since I can never go back there again!!! I still feel like such a moron!!
And you bet this is being posted under “anonymous”!!
It’s nice to know we all have “those days”…
Ok, you are so refreshing. Thank you for being you. I too have taken the mask off. Believing God Bible study in 2005 is what did it for me. Glory to God. Only the real deal now. Praying for you in the parenting young tots. I am a mom of 3 boys and I did not ever think I would get thru the toddler years. But now they are grade school age and believe me sister, it DOES GET BETTER. More challenging in other ways but definitely better. The best thing to do, you and Curtis are already doing.. staying on your knees and trusting God. Bless you and your precious family.
Hey, Beth! I think I got you beat on a place with great onion rings! My husband and I went to a conference in Kingsport, Tennessee. Across from the conference center was a place called Hardy’s. Talk about a great plate full of onion rings!!!! I think these are going to be next to the angel food cake in heaven with Jesus!
Thanks so much for your honest post. It really does blesses us and others when we choose to be “real”. God can’t use us with our masks on… we all need to take them off.
Blessings,
Lynn
THanks for sharing Amanda! You are so right about everything you said. I too was self righteous at one time in my life and NEVER want to go there again. You Moore girls are brave to put yourselves out there!
Wow, I struggle with these same feelings and know what you are talking about. I believe the lies that I am a failure as a Mom sometimes and that I can’t do it! Just this past week, my husband and I were also in tears over our almost 3 year old son’s disobedience. His behavior was so exhausting and frustrating it overwhelmed me. When you add in the non-stop energy of our 10 month old baby girl who is now into everything, I was beyond overwhelmed. I felt so alone, and wondered if I was the only parent that was not getting things right. What a precious reminder that we are not alone and that we need to rely on each other! I am sorry for the heartbreak y’all experienced this past week, but I appreciate your honesty and the life you share with us on here. Thanks so much for the encouragement!
Thank you, Amanda for laying it out there as ugly as it seems sometimes. I feel that way alot myself!!! Ya know, for a minute there I thought it was your mom writing…. Thanks for sharing such a good Word.
Thank you so very much for sharing. I was just sharing last night with a friend of mine about the trials and struggles we have had in out marriage. I was trying to show her that we should be every definition of the world not be togehter, much less be happy with our marriage. That God had came in and saved our marriage. It took seeking “Godly” council to get to this point.
She was shocked to know that we had what we had in our marriage. I was not trying to put on a mask or “pretend” that everyting is great or that is has always been that way.
I wanted her to see yes we all have struggles and issuses in our marraige and yes we can overcome them with God’s help!
I have a 3 year old too. I never called them the terrible two, I do not like labels. I tell you the 3s are harder. We can do it with Christ who strengthens us! Thanks so very much for sharing again.
Blessings….
Thank goodness! Mine is only 2! I don’t remember my other children being this naughty. Please pray for me, I could use a 2 year old break!
Yes ma’am!! Amen.
Melana
Thank you so much for this. I’m so glad the Lord put these words in your mouth today. He is so good. I couldn’t sleep tonight for various reasons so I came here for some encouragement. Little did I know it would be so spot on. We have been struggling like crazy with our 3 year old. Plus having a 19 month old and being 4 months pregnant, I’ve shed many tears lately. I was so uplifted tonight and prayed with much hope for my sweet little boy. Thank you and praise Him!
Amanda
Thank you for sharing – it is so important for people to see Christ in us – being honest and authentic is essential.
There really is a fine line. We are told to be joyful in all circumstances and those who may not have it seem to misunderstand it as the perfect, happy life. It’s the joy of the Lord and anyone can have it! I love how your mom says, “It’s part of our spiritual heritage.”
Amanda, Amen to everything you said. When I was 27 I had a 6 yr old, 4yr old, 2 yr old and new born…ALL BOYS!!! .Praise the Lord I had Jesus helping me!! .I am 51 now and their wonderful men. Hang in there sweets..there is hope!!
Amanda-Thank you so much for this post. I have a 4 year old son and when he was 2 I was so proud because he was great and I thought I had actually missed the terrible twos. Then God let me eat it too. He turned 3. Lord Help. He is 4.5 now and sometimes still….Lord Help. I am thankful for the humbling though. My heart has softened. I think I completely saw his behaviour as a reflection of me and since I’ve always been a little competitive I naturally wanted his behaviour to be “good”. Then I had to realize I needed to give him a break. He’s a little boy………..immature in emotion and so in need of my unconditional love. I have to ask regularly for God’s grace so that I can give it to my son. In your mom’s fruit of the spirit study I learned (in patience) that sometimes God uses people in our lives to work something out of us (we may be working something good in them while something bad is being worked out of us). This has been so true for me in parenting. This concept has made it easier for me. Let God gently do his work. He’s perfecting us 🙂
Amanda –
I can’t thank you enough for sharing this with us. If I was next door to you, I’d bring you a big ol’ cup of coffee and share the struggles I have with my 3-year-old and 2-year-old also, just to know you’re not alone. Know I’m with you today in spirit, Sister, and saying a prayer for all of us!
Amen, Amanda!
Thank you for your honesty. I know I have been guilty of the same thing; wearing a mask. Whenever I slip back to wearing mine I’ve discovered it is pride that holds it to my face. I confess that today. Thank you for the reminder that by wearing a mask we are not being genuine with those around us.
Thank goodness God has chosen to use “cracked pots”, as Patsy Clairmont called us in one of her books, to be the light in a dark world.
Thank you Lord for Your love, for Your grace and for Your mercy.
Love,
Mary
I can’t tell you how much I needed this! Thank you for being real! We are in the thick of things too and felt very much alone and a failure. I too have been so self righteous! May we all keep praying for one another!
Thank you for your post. I am in my mid-thirties and this has been a struggle for me, especially early in my marriage and adult life. I coveted "what I thought" was other people's lives.
Only seeing the victories in their lives, not the defeats. Only seeing their lives through my eyes, not the entire journey of their lives. Wanting their harvest, but not the hard work that went into producing it. Wanting the closest preceived in other's family and friend relationships, but not the life long commitment that goes into building & sustaining those relationships. Only seeing their material possessions, not their debt.
Continual growth in reading, studying, & applying God's Word in my life has assisted in this area of my life. Thank you to both yourself in posting this message and the other ladies who commented to ensure me that I am not alone in my struggles in this area.
Thank you Amanda. My life struggle has been authenticity. Being the daughter of a preacher and always being excpected to tow the line of pefection by my peers, I can tell you the pressure was tremendous. It really wasn’t until we were pregnant with our 2nd and he was diagnosed with a condition that would take his life from us at birth that my hearts cry became authenticity. It was not about losing him, it was about losing me. Love you guys.
Thanks for you post. My kids are a bit older now, they are good hearted and kind and loving. Consistant loving discipline when they were 2-4 years old I think is at the heart of that. I can remember calling my good friend who had kids about my kids age and crying, weeping…”I feel like I am disciplining them more than anything else.” She said that she had felt that way too with her kids but that they grow through that stage. It gave me some light at the end of the tunnel, and she was right. They transitioned though that stage, with me never allowing them to win a battle of wills, even though I was worn plum out and wished I could just give into them a couple of times. Never did and thank goodness, because they did grow out of it and the battles ended and I was the victor and we were all the better for it. Fast forward 7 years and like I said they are amazing kids.
Amanda, I honestly could have written something really similar about high school experiences. I think it’s a real shame we can’t just talk about the things we struggle with and support each other… and it feels weird and sad and lonely and odd to go to church and feel those same pressures. Not necessarily being perfect, but having it all together. I don’t think any of us really do, and praying with and for each other would be of more value to all of us than I think we could ever imagine.
Praying for you –
It didn’t take me long in this parenting adventure to realize that God was doing so much in me through my children… and that it was/is often painful. Others have told me it would get easier. It hasn’t, but I’m hopefully getting better at leaning and trusting.
I pray that others don’t see a mama who has it all together, but a gracious God who is gently keeping this mama together.
Thanks for sharing your heart – May our God continue to encourage you.
I had 3 kids in 3 years and it does get pretty wild. We did “Growing Kids God’s Way” at a local church and it was awesome, not just for the great tips but the camaraderie of other parents who could all relate. Plus it was fun. It showed us we were doing a lot of things right as well. Now we have 3 great teens!
This struck so close to home — people have this misconception about me that makes me very uncomfortable. I certainly don’t see myself as others do and your post brought me to my knees praying that I am authentic with others and with myself. When I do take the mask off with others it feels like I am fishing for affirmation and compliments which is so far from the truth, I have found it better to humbly say thank you and go on my way, praying to God that I am not misleading people.
So true, we all as Christians need to be authentic. Life isn’t perfect and we don’t need to pretend it is. My sons are now 16 and 20 years old. I want to encourage you, even through the difficult times, to enjoy every moment. They grow up so fast and when you raise them with biblical principles as I know you and Curtis are, they are such blessings! And it does get easier.
God Bless you and your family!
WOW. I have been doing a Bible study on spiritual warfare. A couple of weeks ago, the five daily lessons for the week were on the parts of God’s armor. The first lesson was on the belt of truth. Ever since that lesson, God was been dealing with me about my mask. He was even dealing with me this very morning!! Oh ladies, we need each other so much!! God help us be real with each other. What an encouragement we can be to each other when we’re REAL. And it even FEELS good, too, because it frees us!!
I love this blog!! I’ve been soooo blessed by it!! Have a richly blessed day.
Oh Amanda, for several reasons, your post brought me to tears. For one thing, your total honesty touched me deeply. Second, I have 3 children – the oldest being a boy (our second a daughter, born when our son was 3 1/2) – and let me tell you, our oldest has brought me to the brink so many times. He is a challenge – and I now know that he will always be. He is strong willed and wants to be different (he tells us that there is no one in his youth group like him – sound familiar?). I have given up on trying to control and change my son, and I have instead that God has made him this way, and pray that God will chanel who He is and was made to be, for His glory. He’s 13 now, and it has never been EASY with him, and I feel we may be just beginning!
Thanks for sharing – and helping us to see that even when you are Beth Moore’s daughter, you face the same challenges as the rest of us!
Amanda,
I know your struggle all too well, particularly on the parenting end. It was our two who broke me to the point I was honest about my struggles. A dear friend and I did Breaking Free on-line and our lives were changed because of God’s Word and our willingness to be honest.
My husband and I are now shepherding the hearts of our 9 and 7 year old. It remains the greatest challenge of my life aside from building a godly marriage. A friend once said if you want to serve Jesus, stay single. If you want to be like Jesus, get married. I would add, if you really want to have to see your selfishness and sin nature exposed, add children!
Parenting is our greatest joy and our greatest challenge. I have been blessed to see and be part of a Christian based TV parenting show (this lady is like your mom – the real deal). The show is called Raising an Amazing Generation. You can search it on the TV. I have learned much from Carol’s wisdom (and the mistakes she has shared). She is a grandmother now and a prayer warrior. I have also met other moms willing to share the struggles and pray.
I highly recommend the show, because it gives me so many tools to unlocking the hearts of my children through God’s Word. Also, I have a great book called “Praying the Scriptures for your Children” by Jodie Berndt. Both have blessed me immensely. We will all pray for one another and together we can raise a generation willing to stand against the tide.
Truth be told, when we take off our masks, we are all the same – sinners desperate for the Redeeming Love of Jesus. Praise God He can make us right.
Jenny in Charlotte
Amanda,
Thank you so much for sharing. There is truly nothing like authenticity. Unfortunately, that makes some people uncomfortable. I am so thankful that you all have people who really appreciate authenticity and will pray with you over whatever,especially the best and hardest job in the world–parenting.
Bless your heart, Amanda..thank you for being transparent and revealing not only your struggles but your heart for God. I see so much of your mother in you! As for the three-year challenges, my sister-in-law use to say to me when my now adult children were Jackson’s age..”this, too, shall pass”. You will never know how many times I repeated that phrase over the years! I say this to my daughter now when she is lamenting over her challenges with my precious grandchildren..hang in their little mommy!
Oh, Amanda, it is the “perfect storm” set up with a new baby “dethroning” the king of the household. I saw this with my sister’s little girl at 3 yrs old when her brother was born and I came for a visit. She had been the apple of my eye but now we hardly noticed when she went into her bedroom (which had been changed because now the nursery bedroom belonged to this new invader) and she defiantly emptied her dirty diaper onto the floor and began “writing” with it on the walls! This was the same child who could perform “Father of Lights” like an angel while holding a microphone karoke style. She would afterward proclaim,”I wish Christopher had never been born.” At least she wasn’t wearing a mask!
Thank you for sharing Amanda, today my husband and I go for our first counseling session in many many years. The struggles we have had with our 4 yr old have taken it’s toll on us. I am literally in tears reading this. We have prayed and begged and pleaded for relief and strength. Your honesty has helped me tremendously! God bless you!
Amen Amanda! I know Satan just loves to get us in that frame of mind and “impression management”. As a mom of four, 9 and under I know your feelings well.
Blessings to you and your precious family and thanks for being a “real” mom!!
Oh how I wish….. I don’t pretend to be who I am not, but since moving to Nashville, I do not have any close friends, people who I feel comfortable being real with. I am real with my husband, and our families, but with others in the community or the church we recently placed membership at, I am not there yet. I am pretty sure they don’t think I have it together though. Maybe I am wrong, but I think if they really looked at me they would see that I don’t and that I am struggling. My children are 6, 4 and 3. We have many really bad days where I feel lucky enough to have my head above water and I feel like I am constantly saying “no, please don’t do that”, “no, we don’t say things like that”, ” we need to be kind to each other, not mean”. Some days all I feel is that I am saying no. Working outside the home, sometimes makes it worse- Tired form work, kids cranky from getting up early for school/daycare.
I pray daily that I can find friends that I can be real with and that what we are going through will make us better people. Thank you Amanda, for showing that I am not the only one out there who is feeling at whits end at times. And thanks for letting me vent…who knew it would be somewhat theraputic to get it all out 🙂
“. . . . Surrender-total
Submission-complete
I lay my mask down at His feet.
Oh the wonder
Sweet the sound
As my wall comes tumbling down. . . . “
To Dixie: What a beautiful, and meaningful, poem. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Janine
Thank you. Your words really touched me today.
Julie
Thanks for sharing this today Amanda. I hadn't looked at the blog in sometime, but felt the pull to do so today & it is clear why. I have been struggling to be real after a lifetime of faking it & at times am discouaged by the result or by my slipping back into false pretenses. But your reminded me that with Jesus we can do it & hopefully to His Glory! This was very encouraging to me toay thanks again!
Amanda, I just want to lift up those that encounter this in the work place also. Your example focused on church and family….this happens everywhere.
Just recently it happened where I work. I thought I was the only one encountering the problem, but as others starting sharing with me (confidentially), I found out the problem is far-reaching. I do not stand alone in the issue.
I have been lifting the individuals up to God – feel that is why I am in the problem and know more than others do. It is a relational issue and only a miracle will help?
So, if the world stops turning at any moment, you will know God moved on this issue (and the many other issues that exist)!! 😉
Very sweet, Amanda. Thanks for sharing.
Amanda,
I just had to shout a big AMEN to you for that post. Thank you for sharing so honestly. I had a teacher one time talk about “The Conspiracy of Fine”. Meaning there is a great big conspiracy that we’re all ‘fine’ and we’re all really not fine.
That conspiracy keeps us isolated in our junk and prevents real healing that the body of Christ can help bring to each other through His love and grace.
Thank you for your powerful post.
Amanda, It has been a while since I have had little ones mine is now 34; but I do remember how it was and it was not easy.I can certainly relate to your parenting plight and be prepared it does not get easier. You can look forward to becoming wiser with the Lords help. However, there is something else you wrote that hit me “I learned to surrender my weak self to Jesus every single day and let Him change my heart”. Amanda how do you (Me) surrender how can I learn that? I know that is not an easy question to answer so maybe an example could help me understand that concept
Thank you for your honesty on the blog
ginny
I love the reminder about being authentic with each other…thank you for writing about what most of us have felt at one time or another.
Thank you so much for this post. I’ve often related so much to you. I am a 28 yr. old stay-at-home mom with two small children. I reached my wits end this past Friday. It truly was a horrible day and I felt like such a failure. I’ve been saved all my life and my husband is a sunday school teacher. I’m supposed to have perfect children or at least know how to handle every situation right?. Ha, Ha!!! You are so right on the authenticity point. Well, trying to keep my comment short but just wanted to thank you for being real.
Hi Amanda,
Thank you for sharing your struggles with us. And, I am not even a wife, nor a mother, but I have numerous daily struggles myself, also.
And, I honestly have NO idea how my parents got through those “difficult years” with us, as there were 4 of us born within 5.5 years ! All females, living in a 1,200 square foot home, with one bathroom~ Ha ! We all had to fix up our hair, makeup, etc., in the dining room instead. But, hey, we lived through it.
Today is a rather “rough day” for me and my family, as it is the first anniversary of my Dad’s passing away into Jesus’ arms in Heaven. [March 24, 2009]
My Dad was diagonosed with end stage Leukemia, but we only knew about it for 8 months. And, in the end, it was so very hard, as some serious falls had caused him to need brain surgery. And, although it was initially working out, the subdural hematoma [bleeding inside of the brain] came back. And, that ended up being the last week of his life here on Earth, though we did not know it at the time. And, to make it even more “interesting”, it was the week before Easter, and he passed away the day after Easter. But, I guess God had His reasons, even though my dear Dad had been a very active 77 year old man prior to his diagnosis.
We would appreciate Y’all’s prayers today, even though we know that he became a child of God in 1949, which is how we know that he is up there in Heaven with Jesus.
We are all still going through this “process of grief”, as we were all very close to him, and we still miss him dearly. But, when we found out that he could NOT have a “good quality of life”, we realized that it was our turn to “let him go live with Jesus.”
Although, the grief really has gotten better since this time last year, praise be to God!
Blessings to you all~
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer O.
Southern Wisconsin
P.s. How funny could this be; my word verification basically “says” orstight. And, it got me to thinking just how desperately we all need to keep a strong grip on our Savior, Jesus, and His great Love for us !
Dear, precious, honest, caring Mama Amanda!
A standard answer is…we’re working on that! No guilt…just SAY IT and WORK on it.
We take them….like we get them!
With the “bookworms” 😀 you’re surrounded by… you probably have already found these….but….
a couple of resources I’ve found valuable are:
Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Ted Tripp and the website of http://www.biblicalparenting.org.
Parenting is a humbling, rewarding, LONG committment! Being a prayer warrior is GOOD!! A fellow Moms loves you, Mama Amanda!
I read this before there had been any comments and wanted to leave one, but couldn’t. I can’t tell you how similar so much of that story was for me. Unfortunately, I took my feeling of being alone as a crutch for too long. I’ve also come out of that to the same challenge of self-righteousness. I can’t tell you how your authenticity has encouraged me. It is also encouraging to hear you say it is an on-going work of God! Again, I’m glad I’m not the only one! Thank you for sharing.
As a mother of a 5 1/2 year old who has PDD and an almost 4 year old that thinks she is 21, I know exactly how you feel. And believe me, you are not a failure. To be a failure you would either not know that things could be better or not care enough to try and make them better. That fact that you do shows what a wonderful mother you are.
Be strong and brave. Do not be terrified. Do not lose hope. I am the LORD your God. I will be with you everywhere you go. Joshua 1:9
And everywhere means the deepest trenches of motherhood.
PS~ I should have written this down but forgot. During the session for Esther 6:6-6:11 your mom kept using these initials…..I think GP. What are they for?
God is TOO COOL! After yesterday’s post, I was feeling down. We had our LBY lesson today on faithfulness. Beth referenced a quote out of a John Elderidge book(sorry I can’t remember which one). It was about having to drive your daughter to school and having a fight,and then the devil trying to condemn you about being a bad person… I ended up having to drive my daughter to school because she missed the bus THIS MORNING! I was NOT a happy camper,BUT the devil wasn’t able to condemn me for acting wrong because after I dropped her off, I praised God because she thanked me and that made all the difference in the world for my mood! I LOVE when God orchestrates things like this! I will continue praying for my daughter, and I know God will be faithful! Praise HIM!
I needed to hear that more than you know. Thanks for keeping it real.