Our own worst critic . . .

I spent some time the other day with someone, who like myself (and many of you),

has made some bad choices. I think she's inwardly beating herself up.

Remember that feeling? The days, weeks, months, or perhaps the years of kicking yourself in the tail?

Absolutely sure that you where the only single person to ever make that mistake?

And that every single person you know is aware of it?

I mean, they're all staring at you, right??

Ugh!! I hated that feeling.

But I'm a little wiser now.
Oh yeah. I definitely make my share of mistakes. But they don't have the same fall-out as they used too.
See? The wisest AND smartest decision I've ever, ever, ever made - was to become a follower of Jesus Christ. That's where the bulk of my self-acclaimed wisdom comes from.
Because God helps me to lay it down and trust Him to pick it up. 

Now that's not to say that he doesn't expect us to learn from our mistakes.

I firmly believe that our experiences shape us - the good ones, the bad ones and even the ugliest ones.

I shared with her what I thought life would be like had God created us as robots.
Walking around as if we were all on an assembly line.

All of us doing certain things at certain times in exactly the same stages of our lives.
BORING . . .

Instead, he allows us choices. Free will. Along with a brain. Feelings. And a whole gamut of emotions.

And he knew with all of that would come decisions, and unfortunately not always the right ones.  

I explained that there is absolutely nothing my children could ever do that would cause me to stop loving them. And that being a parent gives me just a minuscule glimpse at how great I know God's love is for me.

I am so far from being a scholar, but I am someone who cares.

I hope she understands that . . . because a wiser person once told me that

when we remove our masks and become real,it encourages others to do the same.

I hope I succeeded.

Seems like all I can see was the struggle
Haunted by ghosts that lived in my past
Bound up in shackles of all my failures
Wondering how long is this gonna last
Then You look at this prisoner and say to me

"Son, stop fighting a fight that's already been won"

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, now I'm not who I used to be
I am redeemed. I'm redeemed

All my life I have been called unworthy
Named by the voice of my shame and regret
But when I hear You whisper, "Child lift up your head"
I remember oh God, You're not done with me yet

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, now I'm not who I used to be

Because, I don't have to be the old man inside of me
Cause his day is long dead and gone
Because, I've got a new name, a new life I'm not the same
And a hope that will carry me home

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, cause I'm not who I used to be

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, now I'm not who I used to be

Oh God I'm not who I used to be

Jesus I'm not who I used to be

Cause I am redeemed

Thank God, redeemed.

I love you girl!!

Until later :)