Truths

   This is a very personal share for me & one I was a little nervous about doing. But I think that it's something I need to share, just in case it's something that someone else needs to hear. I had an amazing time on my Walk To Emmaus last weekend and made some deep discoveries about myself. With that said, here it goes:
   We find some wonderful truths in God's Word. Truths about friendship, truths about our family, truth about our life's purpose, the list goes on & on. If you have a struggle, God's word has a solution. Last weekend I had an amazing opportunity to discover some wonderful truths about myself. Over the years, I had somehow lost myself in my day to day living. (I'm pretty sure that having kids does that to you!) But it's important to not forget about ourselves completely. I've heard, many times over the years, to "be sure and take care of you", "you can't care for others if you don't take care of yourself", etc. I always nod and agree & go back to the grind. How can I be taking care of myself when there's so many demands on a mom these days? Especially on a mom of a special needs child. Between school, homeschool, sports practice, games, dance lessons, recitals, birthday parties, therapy appointments, doctors appointments, etc, where am I supposed to find time for "me"? Well guess what?? God put it right in front of my face and about hit me over the head with it! It's not about an occasional girls night out or even a yearly retreat. It's about unlocking ourselves & opening ourselves up to what is truly important. The wonderful gifts that God has for us. For me, I was hugely lacking in my spiritual life. I forgot who I was. I forgot how much fun I can be. I forgot how important I am & most importantly, I forgot how loved I am. How did that happen? How did I become so angry & sad without even realizing it? And so insecure? By not studying God's Word. By not making my relationship with Jesus a priority in my life. By not allowing MYSELF to receive God's grace. Nobody ever told me I wasn't allowed to receive everything He has in store for me, nobody ever told me that I wasn't good enough for Him. These are all thoughts that I let the enemy put into my head. And I fell for them!! I believed these things without even realizing the damage I was doing. But luckily for me, I discovered these problems AND the solutions! I have been given a second chance at life. Actually, another "second" chance since God gives us His love & grace as a new gift every single day. And I will fail. I will fall short of His glory, but I will pick myself up & start over. I am so grateful for my experience last week and for the new friendships and bonds with my sisters in Christ. The gift of last weekend gave me a chance to get back to my child-like wonder of such a loving God. A chance to realize that I'm beautiful. I'm fun. I'm loved. I'm cherished. I'm important. I am a work of God. And He doesn't make mistakes!!