My wife and I have done our best to create space in the world for two tiny, baby girls to grow into whole, healthy and happy young women.
Some days I am burdened with the assurance that we have failed in at least some of our efforts. That is not an enjoyable understanding, but still true.
One of the areas of difficulty has been in trying to help them see how wonderfully unique they are while at the same time preparing them for the fact that everyone else in the world won't celebrate that the way that we do.
Being "fearfully and wonderfully" made is an incredible concept for our mind and heart to hold onto. (see Psalm 139:1-18)
Prepare yourself.
I'm gonna flip the script a bit.
As uniquely as we were created, I believe that our struggles, though they have specific edges to them, are rather common.
In other words we are mostly united in our failures.
Once more...That is not an enjoyable understanding, but still true...if this is also true:
"No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it." (I Cor. 10:13)
I think that this matters to each of us because:
...We tend to think our stumbles, struggles, mis-steps...whatever we wish to call these moments of our lives...are so difficult to be understood or untangled, that we remain mired in them for years,
even decades,
even a lifetime.
We must remember that there is one who works against us.
Who works against our hope.
Who works against our relationships.
Who works against our peace.
Who works against the truth that can set us free.
He wants for the shadow of all of our shortcomings to keep us forever darkened in spirit.
Please hear the other voice.
The voice that says,
"Yes! you were made completely, singular...
None other exists who is just like you.
However, nothing you will ever experience,
no lack of judgement or act you will ever commit
is so complicated that I cannot lift the weight of it from you
or you from it.
It's as though you were the hundredth person I've helped find this full release in the past hour.
All you have to do is trust me with the set of fetters that bind you
And when I break them apart,
learn to walk, speak and LIVE IN YOUR FREEDOM."
