While scrolling through Facebook one day my eyes stopped upon a post about family traditions, a topic I happen to love. The tradition at hand was one of family dinners spent sharing about their day and verses prayed over each child daily. My first thought was, “Oh, I love that!” My second went something like, “Wow, I wish I had done that with my family.” As others shared in the comments about similar traditions of family dinners, day sharing games and prayers turned life verses, the dialogue in my heart spiraled downward. “I’m such a bad mom.” “We didn’t even sit at the table together half the time.” And worst of all, “I didn’t tell my kids about Jesus.” “I stink.” “I’m a bad mom and a bad wife.” And on and on and on.
Just as I was about to lose all control, I turned to Jesus for help. “Lord, please help me to see the beauty in these posts and not play the comparison game. Help me to remember that though my story is different from theirs, it is no less beautiful.”
Sometimes there are things in our lives that we wish we had done differently. But, it does no good for us to dwell on such things. If we have sought forgiveness for our sin and are walking in a relationship with Jesus now, then we can rest in knowing that He is wiping the slate clean and making things – even our guilt, regret and past hurts – fresh and new. And in those moments when the enemy threatens to throw it all back up in our face we just need to remember, God is doing something new. He is making a way. Our story is beautiful because our story is His story.
We face things every single day that threaten to bring us down, cause division and take our focus off Jesus. As we tackle each new day ……
Maybe this is how we pursue hope - seeking God first.
Maybe this is how we find freedom - giving thoughts, emotions, self-talk, actions, interactions and reactions over to Him in full surrender.
Maybe this is how we live loved - resting in His presence, trusting in His promises and praising Him for His grace, His mercy and His love.
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