Mid week message

I have had to make a decision for myself.

The attitudes of others will not make or break my attitude, day, life or decisions.

I know some people are already gifted with this strength, I may have been at the beginning, but after years of having to keep my ear to the ground as it were, it became habit to temper my every thought, word and deed to the prevailing winds in my world.

It became such and ingrained part of my personality, that even when I was free from those chains, I still walked in that circle. Always afraid that if  I ever over stepped my boundaries, there would still be a terribly painful price to be paid.

In all that time I failed to notice that while I was busy tiptoeing around everyone's wants, needs and individule temperaments, I was still paying an awful price.
I was afraid to be just me. I was stifling my own God given creativity and talents.

Well except one, and that was the one keeping my spirit alive, and the one others demanded of me. (another story for another time)

I was afraid to voice my opinion, stand up for what I believed for myself, (I've always been more than willing to fight against injustice for others who can't fight for them selves), But for me, I would meekly lower my head and take what ever was dished out to my. It was how I was trained.

I can not stress enough, that we parents have such a responsibility to our children to train them up in the love and admonition of the Lord. When we seek to control them at all cost, breaking their spirit in the process, we do them such a great disservice.

I digress.

I have finally come to the place in my life, where it is time for me to stand, and having done all stand.
I kneel to no one but my Heavenly Father
.
Does this mean I intend to run rough shod over every one to get my own way?
God forbid, why would I do to others what was so hurtfully done to me?
 I have learned through my own experiences that there is a firm, yet caring way to get a point across, or to let another know something is not acceptable.

So this I do promise me. My light will shine where ever I am, and if there is one so filled with darkness, that they are offended, then I will lovingly continue to shine right in their eye sight, praying all the while that they too will be able to see, and learn to let their own light shine bright too, cause if we both get to shining bright, that's just so much more light to shine in this often times dark world we inhabit.