Courage, for the single mom, may seem slightly out of reach. But the truth is that never before have we needed as much courage as we do now. The rewards of courage outweigh the risks!
Today, I had an epiphany. It is better to be scared than to live in resignation.
I’ve been facing a war in my spirit for years. Something that wasn’t working in my life, but I refused to fight the battle.
There were steps to be taken, but I didn’t. Sometimes, deciding to take action is the hardest part of it all.
I had been polite and compliant to the point that I gave away my power.
I listened to people smarter than me, more educated than me, louder than me, and “more together” than me.
The problem is, it’s not their life, their finances, or their kids.
It’s time to wear my big girl pants, take up my sword of truth, and wade into the battle.
Standing on the sideline is a decision. It’s a refusal to do the right thing.
My unwillingness to rock the boat caused small hearts to struggle in fear and hurt.
I wrung my hands on the sidelines, afraid to be strong, tell the truth, and take action.
I choose instead to live safely.
The truth that God was revealing was ignored even though it cost my kids their self-esteem and peace.
It has cost me my joy and defeated me.
I’ve spent years wringing my hands when I should have picked up my sword and walked into the fray.
So, I made a decision that ruffled feathers and displeased the masses.
I chose to follow where God was leading quietly.
Stepping out into the battle gave me back my voice and my courage.
There is no shortage of critics. But they are not there to collect the brokenness at the end.
And if we followed their plan, it wouldn’t have worked out anyway.
We would be sacrificing our lives and our children’s lives on their theory of life. When in reality, it’s not what they think that matters.
Their plan is great for only their lives. What matters is what God says and how He wants us to do this. God has a specific plan for us, and each plan is different.
And a word to the wise: God rarely follows the plan we humans think He should.
The story of Jericho. David and Goliath. The birth of Jesus. Creation. Each is God’s plan.
And so far from what we humans would have done. And thank God for that.
The critics would have analyzed the decision to walk around Jericho’s walls and accepted limitations.
And pregnancy in a young teenage girl? Oh, my! She should have graduated college first!
Creation? Seriously! What kind of plan was that?!
Exactly! The best kind! God has no limits!
He doesn’t need to spend three months analyzing the walls of Jericho! He saw the value in a young girl! And He is not intimidated by what all the experts say!
I don’t mean we should ignore wise people, but listen to God first.
His plan is very personal to our lives. If we ignore God’s spirit and leading and let the voice of others drown out His voice, then we have problems.
We, single moms, are already vulnerable. But we give away our power too quickly.
Maybe because we’re scared or because this war has weakened us.
But I think if we were honest with ourselves, it’s because we doubt ourselves and believe that loud people know better. But look at the outcome.
When we refuse to take responsibility, we let others make the decisions.
Herein lies the problem.
These people see the issues through their educated, best-intentioned lenses but do not see God’s plan for your life or his power coming into your life.
They may not know or understand God’s specific leadings in your heart.
For sure, God may lead us through others and circumstances and wise people. They keep us from falling into pits.
But I am saying that if God has specifically revealed something to you, it is your responsibility and mine to act.
Ignoring my battle and letting the “others” fight it has only brought me defeat, a loss of joy, and confusion.
My brother keeps quoting this verse to me.
“And Caleb quieted the people before Moses. Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.” Numbers 13:30
Come with me if you’ve been sitting on the sideline of a battle you know you are supposed to enter.
Let’s put on our armor and walk out into the fray. We are well able to overcome it.
Here is additional information about putting on the whole armor of God.
https://www.singlemomoutwest.com/faith-for-single-moms/put-on-whole-armor-of-god/
Here is a special quote by President Theodore Roosevelt that has brought me so much courage!
