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is this for you?
Jack Nicolson put it brilliantly in the road-trip scene from the 1999 movie As Good As It Gets:
Not everyone has a terrible story to get over. Some people have great stories, pretty stories that take place at lakes with boats and friends and noodle salad. Just no one in this car. But, a lot of people, that's their story. Good times, noodle salad.
If you're riding with me, know that I speak from personal experience. If you can relate, scroll down. More than anything I want you to know, YOU matter to God. IT--whatever it is, matters to God. But no one can make that discovery for you. I count it a blessing to encourage you along the way.
God doesn't minimize the circumstances that break our hearts. We do, when we deny Him access to the pain.
"Thank you, Wendy! My husband and I read your book together and it was amazing. I intend to pass it on to a friend. One of the many blessings from the book is how I learned how to stop running from my pain. Before, I would panic when it surfaced. I struggled with this for years. Through your writing and speaking, I now bring my pain to Jesus. Words cannot express my gratitude."
--Laura, Reader
Fear Not
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10 NKJV).
Yesterday morning (Valentines Day) I woke up thinking about how far I've come by the Lord's righteous right hand. In the beginning, I was so broken that I imagined the abused girl in me simply sitting in Jesus' lap. The first three years of healing were rough. I didn't understand why it was such a slow process.
Today, I understand. Are you familiar with the phrase: "My whole life flashed before my eyes." Well, Valentines morning went something like that, only it was my healing process that flashed before my eyes: Initially, I saw an abused girl; safe in my Savior's lap. Next, I saw myself as a toddler, hanging on to His leg as He walked. Eventually, I stood on my own two feet, but remained hidden behind my Heavenly Father; every so often I peered from behind him. Over time I learned to walk and finally run, but not without stumbling; not without His comfort and care.
At last, I'm a grown woman, walking down the isle. My heavenly Father walks arm and arm with me. I'm a beautiful bride, dressed in the wedding gown I've only ever imagined wearing. He's proud of me. His honor feels like sunshine on my face. And in that moment, in my spirit I heard Him say, "And when you are old and silver, ever so much more than twenty, you will still be my little girl."
It takes time to grow in Christ. He didn't reveal images of all the tears, all the fits I threw; the times I initially reached for a drink instead of Him. From the beginning, He saw a broken-down baby from a broken-down home, who needed Love to grow to be a woman free from her past.
At 8:30 yesterday morning, before I had gotten out of bed, I declared it to be the best Valentine's Day ever! My wonderful husband, Michael, is the icing on my cake!
I encourage you to reach for the Savior. No one loves you like He loves you. You are precious and honored in His sight and He loves you. (Isaiah 43:4).
Published on Tuesday, February 15, 2011 @ 9:06 AM CDT
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