There have been times in my life where I was very frustrated because certain types of people kept coming into my life. These people reminded me of someone that I found annoying and difficult to be around, my Mother. I finally got smart and asked God, “What do you want me to learn from these people?”. God used the situations and these people to teach me many things. I want to address one aspect for the purpose of this post. God used these people to teach me how to be stronger and how to stand up against my mother’s manipulations and schemes.
God Changes Our Relationships
I loved my Mother, and I had a number of conflicting feelings towards her. My Mother knew she could manipulate me using guilt. It worked most of the time before I became a Christian. After I became a Christian, my eyes were slowly opened to see my mother from another aspect. She was as human as the rest of us. I learned she was not as perfect and holy as I had thought. Her family told stories of her difficult birth, and I speculated her human imperfections were possibly physical and not her fault. Subconsciously I felt inferior to her, because I thought she was more Holy than I was.
We All Fall Short of God’s Glory
Why did I think my mom was holier than me even though I could see she was not perfect? She told everyone she was. She often reminded us that she was Spirit filled and only went to Spirit filled Churches. She made it clear in our family that her Churches were superior to any Church my dad or anyone else wanted to go to.
Wounded People Can Unknowingly Wound Others
It was not until my sister, Marilyn and I got together to work on our grief that I began to try and understand who my mother was, and what she was dealing with. As I began to try and understand what kind of emotional and spiritual wounds she was dealing with, I began to heal and forgive her.
God Wants to Heal
God wants to heal our wounds. My healing began the moment I ask God, “What do you want me to learn from these people? I have noticed that God loves it when we ask questions. Sometimes I think He waits for us to ask for something because we are finally ready to receive what He has for us. I also think that by asking we also have an idea what we are being taught or given.
God Loves All of Us
My mother was not a bad person. She was just a very wounded woman that was raised by another wounded woman, her mother. God does discipline His people because He loves them. God has used the Scripture, Matthew 7:3-5 to discipline me numerous times. I also know from being disciplined by God, that we can receive it or reject it and continue in our bad behavior. God gave us free will. I have found that by receiving God’s discipline and trying to be an obedient child that I am happier. Eventually, I am even happy that God taught me what I needed to learn.
Some of The Questions I Still Might Ask God
Holy Father of Love, Jesus, what do You want me to learn or understand from this? What or who do I need to pray for? What is the truth? Is this God’s will or purpose for me? What do You want me to do? Will You help me? Will You heal me? Will You deliver me? Will You help me know and love You better? Will You glorify Yourself through this? Will You use even my mistakes and weaknesses for good and for Your purpose today? Will You bless those I love today? Will You protect and guide us today? Will You help me love and forgive this person? Will You help me use my gifts and talents wisely? Will You help me ask in Faith, Love, Hope, Truth and through Your Holy Spirit? Will You please help me and teach me to ask the right question, at the right time in the right way? When? Praise You for however You answer me and be glorified because of Who You ARE! Amen.