Thursday, September 16, 2010

"I See You Doing Better"

When I was a young girl, anxiety and fears accompanied me like clouds on a foggy morning.  I functioned off of fear.

By God's grace and love, with encouragement from loving family and friends,  I began to shed the shroud of fear.  Truth read slowly became truth lived - line upon line, precept upon precept.

However, like an onion, layers of fear required peeling over time.  Steps forward brought excitement and hope.  Steps backward taught me to give and receive grace.

Love came calling, resulting in marriage and two children.

Remembering my childhood experiences, I desired to see my children walk in love and not fear.

So, when I noticed evidence of fear in my eight year old son, I shared the truth:
God is love...There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love. 1 John 4:18 (The Message)
He listened.

One day, while in the car, I looked in the rear view mirror and gently asked:
"Son, how are you doing with fears."



Then came his little boy voice from the back seat...unexpected encouragement for the soul of his Mommy Teacher:

"I am doing better now that I see you doing better."

Layer peeled back; truth rushed in; healing and light flooded my soul.  I was so hard on myself when evidences of fear seeped from my heart. 

"Yes, son; you are right.  I am doing better...and so are you."

I needed that encouragement.  Prayers, experience, and application of truth produced in me growing trust in God and faith in His love, but l knew more fear-shedding was required.  I leaned more onto the Everlasting Arms.

That little boy is now a young man.  He speaks with wisdom, insight and encouragement.

I remember to stay open, allowing layers to fall off at the skillful hands and lovely feet of Father's ambassadors.

Encouragement allows faith to grow.  The growing continues...

Your turn.  Serve up your story of unexpected encouragement with Faith Barista.





FaithBarista_Jam

11 comments:

  1. The words of our children are often the truth of our heart. take care xx

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  2. Oh, how I've learned such deep lessons from the words of my daughters. I need to realize the same Holy Spirit that dwells in me, dwells in them. And He is powerful!

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  3. Sometimes our children give us more grace than we give ourselves. This in a story of encouragement! What a blessed momma you are -- and he to have you. :)

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  4. mmmm, what a beautiful way to hear that god is working in both of you and that you are powerfully walking in His truth. :)

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  5. What a beautiful personal unexpected blessing! I love how you desired that your son not live in fear as you had lived when you were young. You taught him truth from God's Word. There is no better place for Truth. I love how you were able to hear how your son applied what he learned. What a powerful testimony.

    Blessings and love,
    Debbie

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  6. Wow! Donna, you just encouraged me. I am sometimes overwhelmed realizing how much my parenting is shaping my two little boys. And your unexpected encouragement reminded me to focus on the positives of my faith growing, which is the most important thing I can pass on. Wonderful!

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  7. It's always amazing what our children can teach us if we let them. Thanks for sharing.

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  8. Such a special post! So uplifting! I too was paralyzed by fear. Most of my life I was painfully shy. God has helped me through the fearful part of being shy. I was also always afraid of everyone's opinion, what people were thinking of me and what impression I was making. A lot of freedom has come with age, and grace, and knowing Jesus more intimately. Now, my 80 year old mother is experiencing some paralyzing fear that comes with the unknowns in her life. Breathe a prayer for her if you think about it!

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  9. Stephani, I am breathing prayers for your mother. "A lot of freedom has come with age, and grace, and knowing Jesus more intimately." I share that story.

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  10. Donna, thank you so much for the encouragement I've found here tonight. I'm battling some fear of my own right now and I needed the words you so lovingly penned here.

    I also want to thank you for visiting me. I'm always encouraged when I see that you've been by.

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  11. "Encouragement allows faith to grow." Sorry I'm late reading your post. Beautiful.

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