WOW!!

Can I just say I am utterly amazed at God right now?! My last blog post, my testimony, was viewed by OVER 1,250 people! I am not a big blogger. I may post a blog once a month (if that) and its usually just if there is something really on my heart to share. So 1,250 views on one post is pretty major for me and FAR exceeds any other post by a land slide. I translate that into over 1,250 that heard the gospel spelled out in the form of a life that was transformed by the blood of Jesus! Last night I was telling my husband, David how amazed I was at the number of people who had read it and he said so simply, "That's what happens when God's involved." That is absolutely right! I am not bragging on myself.... but God! He took my story, that to me is ugly and shameful, and used it for His good.

Not only have over 1,250 (and still climbing) read my story but several people (many strangers until now) have reached out to me and sent me private messages to thank me because they needed to hear it or knew someone else who needed to hear it.  I just LOVE how God works and to think I have been fighting God for several months about sharing it so publicly. I even got a devotional one day several months back that was titled, "Share Your Story." God was persistent and patient with me and I finally said 'yes' and quit running from what I knew He wanted me to do.

The purpose of this post is for the parents of young women who are walking in a season of life similar to what I was in. While I don't know (yet) what its like to parent a teenage girl (Lord help me when my time comes), I do know what its like to be that teenage girl and from that point of view I would like to give you parents a little insight and encouragement.

First of all, in my blog I mention searching for someone to love me and give me purpose. My search wasn't because my parents didn't love me enough. I was raised in an amazing home. I never saw my parents argue and to date they have been married over 40 years. They gave me anything and everything they could and I cherish them and what they sacrificed to raise me and provide for me. But parents.... that isn't enough! You can love your child with everything in you but the fact of the matter is we all have a need for love that no one other than Jesus himself can fulfill. We were created so that only God can truly satisfy our souls and quench our thirst with living water. We were made for Him and your children and my children were His first! I honestly think my parents had to just let go and let God! 

I don't mean to discourage you in saying that you can't love them enough but I don't want to deceive you into thinking if you just love them and do everything perfect they will not stray. Did my parents do everything perfect? Probably not.... they aren't Jesus. But they couldn't change the fact that I was born a sinner and was going to be tempted by the Devil. I truly believe that God had a testimony that He needed to let me live out (we all have one) and He knew back before all the mess I got myself into that one day I would share my story and He would use it for His glory.

Secondly, the very last people I listened to was my parents (of course they were right all along). No stubborn teenager or rebellious young adult wants to do what their parents want them to. Sorry.... its just a fact and I was no different. The one thing I do wish and maybe could have impacted me is if I had a young woman (older and wiser than me obviously) to sort of mentor me and pour into my life. I really think quit possibly I may have listened if it had come from someone like that. Just an idea and maybe your daughter wouldn't even listen then but I really believe it would have helped me.

Lastly, don't be afraid to not be your daughter's best friend. There were things my mom said no to and I gave her the fight of her life. There were several very rough years between my mom and I. I was very stubborn and determined to do what I wanted to do. But, she was my mom and her job was to give me guidance against all odds. Can I give you some major encouragement in this area? Yes.... my mom and I fought, yelled at each other, and I believe I even told her I hated her at one time (sorry Mom). BUT now we are so close and she is literally my best friend! Coming from a former rebellious teenage girl.... she doesn't hate you and one day she will look back and be grateful for what you did for her. I adore my mother and love her fiercely and I regret what I put her through. 

So whats the answer to make sure your teenage daughter doesn't take the path I did? Honestly, I don't know! I know that's not very encouraging. But I don't think my parents could have kept me from the path I chose. I had to make my own mistakes and learn from them and by the grace of God I survived it and now have a testimony to tell that hopefully will reach young girls.

As a parent myself to an almost 6 year old boy and a 2 1/2 year old little girl I can tell you I already feel the pressure for my kids to look and act perfect. As parents, especially us moms, we place our worth on how well our kids behave or if they say the right things and act the right way. As a home school mom its especially tough when it comes to how smart my kids are and what they are learning. Society makes us feel like we have to be a pin on pinterest or "look" like the perfect family. I try to never judge when I see a family with a wayward child because that does not define how good or not the parents parented them. Maybe the parents are making major mistakes and maybe not. It's not always the parents fault their children choose a defiant path. It wasn't my parents fault. They had me in church and I even made the true love waits commitment, to stay pure until marriage, publicly in front of church and wore a gold ring that had 'True Love Waits' inscribed on the inside of it. Yet I fell prey to the devil and his temptations.

Thank you to each and every one who read and shared my story. I pray that every eye that sees it will see Jesus for who he is and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

Also, can I just encourage you to share your story? I know we have all done stuff that we are ashamed of but someone right now may very well be struggling with something you struggled with and could benefit from what you went through and how far God has brought you. At the end of the day its not about us and our fleshly feelings of being ashamed but about Jesus and what he did for us on that cross. My story points to Jesus! What has Jesus done for you? I want to hear your stories! Email them to me, blog about it, post it, share it, write it down..... I promise you someone is needing to hear it right now.

"For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? This is why the Scriptures say, 'How beautiful are the feet of the messengers who bring good news!"  Hebrews 10:13-15