When I think of children, I think of happy and carefree little beings. Unfortunately for me, this wasn’t always the case.
My mother, someone who was supposed to nurture and protect me, was the source of my deepest wounds and insecurities. She viciously beat me, publicly humiliated me, and verbally abused me. She basically did or said anything to make me feel worthless. For years, all of her negative words haunted me, and I believed them. This was a heavy cross for a child to bear.
In spite of her inflicting all of this pain on me, I still had my joy. I carried a loud boisterous laugh that came straight from the gut. I was loving, compassionate, and an honor student. I knew God was with me.
Fast Forward to Adulthood – I realized that every vile thing that my mother said to me was a lie. Slowly, piece by piece, the Lord began to show me who I really am. Not what was said about me, not what was done to me, but who He created me to be. My mother used to tell me that no man would ever love me. Well, I’ve been married to the love of my life now for 18 years. He has exposed this country girl to so many beautiful experiences. We own a small business, I have a beautiful home that’s paid for, I have the best girlfriends in the world, I have my health and strength, joy, and most of all, I have peace. What the enemy meant for evil, God truly turned it around for my good. I stand as proof that no amount of pain can cancel the destiny God has placed on your life. He used the very things meant to destroy me to rebuild me stronger. Every ugly thing that my mother said and did to me became a testimony. The Lord turned my mess into a message. I sometimes think of an old gospel song that goes, “My soul looks back and wonders, how I got over.” I know how I got over – the Lord carried me every step of the way. I know He was there even when it didn’t feel like it.
To anyone still carrying the weight of someone else’s cruelty, let me tell you this: You are NOT what they said. You are more than a conqueror, you are above only and not beneath. You. Are. Worthy! Close that chapter of your life because it’s over. The Lord is ready to start a new chapter of your life, and He’s ready to fill those pages with all of the wonderful plans He has for you (Jeremiah 29:11). The best is yet to come. Get ready to receive beauty for your ashes!
PRAYER:
Father God, heal our hearts and help us to forgive those that have hurt us. We also pray for those that have hurt us and ask that You touch their hearts and help them to see the error of their ways. Lord, You said in Your word that You would never leave us and You would never forsake us. Thank You, Lord, for all of Your blessings. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
