Have you ever felt like giving up on a person or situation? Have you ever felt like you were alone, by yourself and no one would understand? Have you ever felt like you were the only person going through a particular situation and was embarrassed to talk about it? Get over it! You are not the only person going through.
As I was preparing to start my day, I came across a prayer specifically for a parent to pray over their child. Well, after I prayed it over my child, I was compelled to share it via text message with a few other ladies. No, I may not talk with these ladies often and I may not know what they are currently going through, but we all have one thing in common. We love the Lord and believe in the power of prayer.
After, I sent my text I went on with my day as usual. Not long thereafter, I received a text from one of the young ladies thanking me for sharing the prayer with her because it came at a time when she really needed it the most. She was feeling a bit overwhelmed and just didn’t feel like she was being the best mother she could possibly be, at the time. If we can be honest, I’m sure we have all felt inadequate at one time or another. She proceeded to tell me she felt like she wasn’t appreciated and was being taken for granted. Anybody else ever felt like this? Let me be the first to say that I have. She also stated that her children don’t know or understand the many sacrifices that her and her husband make to ensure they have everything they need, along with some of their desires. Well, she got to the point where she could not take it anymore and she came out of character and gave them a good ole’ dose of Vitamin C. Oh, let’s not act like you don’t know what a case of Vitamin C is…. You know a good selection of choice cuss words. Don’t get all holy on me now! You know if someone rubs you the wrong way and push the right button you will come out of character too. As my grandmother would say, “They will make you lay your religion down and pick it back up later”! When she told me what she had done, I laughed and explained that I was laughing with her not at her. The truth is she probably scared the children so much, that they will think twice before they do whatever was done again. She was hurt because they knew she didn’t cuss , but that didn’t mean she didn’t know how to. Oh, it happens to the best of us. So don’t judge. Ask Kirk Franklin! I couldn’t resist that one. We don’t know what his son did or said to provoke him to react the way he did. The beauty of it all, is we have been given the gift of repentance and forgiveness.
Ironically, another one of the young ladies responded to my text with pretty much the exact same response. She also mentioned she was experiencing some issues with her children, and really needed the prayer, at the time.
We should realize and accept that we are not meant to live in this world alone. Isolation, at times, is one of the worst things we can do when we are under attack. The enemy will trick you into believing you are the only one going through a particular situation and you are not going to make it through. Truth be told, you are not the first and you won’t be the last. That’s why we have support and life groups. We were not created to do life alone. People who have already gone through something and came out on the winning side can help you through your ordeal, if you are willing to share. They are living proof that you can make it! When we pass the test we should give the testimony, so others will know that if I can make it though so can you.
Honestly, it makes me feel better to know I am not by myself. A lot of you have endured raising a teenage girl and you both survived. So, I know that I will too! So, just take comfort in knowing you are not the only person going through, because your friend, neighbor or co-worker may be going through too.