by Marcie Bridges, @Marcie_Bridges

She walks into the room, book in hand, and says, “Hey mom? Am I allowed to write in this book?” 

“Yes, honey, of course you can. It’s your book.”

“Good. Cause I already highlighted a bunch of things in it. Can I share them with you?”

Words this momma’s heart loves to hear. 

Words this momma’s ear longs to hear.

My daughter read some of what she’d highlighted but it wasn’t what was in the book that made my heart melt. It was the words my daughter said next:

“I cried while reading this mom. For once someone knows exactly how I feel. What I’m going through. I mean, I have always known deep down that I am not alone, but it is so good to hear someone has the same problems. I can relate to her. She is just like me.”

Oh dear friend. Have you ever felt that way? I know I have.

So many times we think we’re the only one who is experiencing something hard in life but in reality, there are many others who are going through it too. And I think we all at one point or another say, “I wish I could talk to someone who knows exactly what I’m going through. What I’m thinking, feeling, and experiencing.”

But often we don’t reach out and connect with others. Or, when we do, they don’t know what to say or do because they’ve not experienced it like we have.  Making us feel lonely and scared.

So where do we go when this arises?

This past week I became quite angry with God over a difficulty in my life. I have not had much of a problem with it before. I have lived with it for years. This week I broke down and cried and railed at God in fear of my future.

Sometime between that experience and the following day as I poured out my heart to Him I found a new peace within me. And I heard Him say, “It’s going to be okay. No matter what happens from here, I promise you, it will be okay.” 

Hearing my Lord say that was like a balm in Gilead to me. My heart has felt so much lighter since then. Do you need God’s reassurance in you? Go to Him. Plead your case. He can handle your anger and your emotions. Then sit quietly and let Him lead you to a place of comfort and peace knowing it will be okay.

Friends can listen and comfort the best they know how. But oh how good it is when we find that Someone who knows exactly what we are going through and can bring us peace.

SWEET LULLABY

Because somewhere in the night
You sang me a sweet lullaby
whispering no matter what happens from here
it’s all going to be to be all right.
Cradling me in Your arms
holding me in strong love
my ragged breath turns deep sighs
head resting against pillowed chest of Christ.
Emotions, dreams, thoughts, desires,
emotions of longing only require
nestling into Your embrace
crashing with You into the waves
of steady, drum beats of heart
the one who loved me from the start.
Walking in the morning light
burdens of hurt, fear, despair
somewhere in the darkness disappeared
soft tears flow from streams of living water
sung to me somewhere in the night
refreshing, reassuring,
it’s going to be all right.

~Marcell Warner Bridges
©26 July 2016
All Rights Reserved.
 
A couple of days later, I read Ann Voskamp’s blog post on the same thing, affirming what I knew God was telling me. You can read that post here.

I will be praying for each of you this week that you will know deep within your hearts that no matter what happens, it will be okay.