When You Struggle with Mothers Day and/or Fathers Day

(This is an excerpt from a piece I wrote well over a year ago.  My intention was I wouldn't be posting near either holiday.  But, as is typical with me, I procrastinated the whole "putting myself out there" thing and just kept editing and re-editing this post, as well as burying it under a list of tasks I felt were much more pressing. I find difficult chapters in life are easier to talk about rather than write about, though I love to write . . . and it is healing . . .go figure. But alas, God didn't let me off so easily and He continued to remind me how burdened I felt to share my experiences and how important it is for me to encourage others who may have similar struggles . . . so here it is:)

I will give you a VERY concise and abbreviated background.  Sadly, both of my parents grappled with the evil of alcoholism, were married and divorced numerous times, and are now deceased.  So, unfortunately, the "happily ever after" of their healing and our reconciliation which I longed for and prayed about for many years didn't materialize. But what did happen is, through that trial I learned to REJOICE!           

                         WAIT . . . What? REJOICE? Why? HOW?

Yes, REJOICE, because I know I have a parent, a FATHER, who loves me unconditionally.  God has been SO GOOD to me, even when others weren't.  He NEVER left me, even when others did. In this life it has taken me a while to realize . . .

                             HIS Love Was and Still Is ENOUGH!

"Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice." Philippians 4:4

So if you struggle in your relationship with your parents, you're not alone.  The best piece of advice I can give you is FOCUS ON STRENGTHENING YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, RIGHT NOW. (And if you currently have an amazing relationship with your parents, my advice is still the same, for you will need that strong relationship with God when those parents leave this earth.)

I will be very candid with you right now and admit I have sinfully and selfishly thought MANY times of others, "Must be nice to have a wonderful relationship with your mom or dad that you miss." Or "At least you had a good relationship while they were here, be thankful for that, because some of us weren't so lucky." Now thankfully, I NEVER spoke any of those thoughts out loud to anyone dealing with a loss.  But nonetheless, they were inconsiderate and sinful thoughts of a hurt and jealous daughter.

While I don't miss the relationship we had (it was far less than ideal or desirable in so many ways), I do ENJOY the relationship I have with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  I am so grateful for His Love for me and I hope it is obvious in my life.

If this resonates with you at all, know it is okay . . .  no, actually, it's more than okay!  Please keep "hanging in there" with God at the helm, and you will be victorious on the other side of this struggle, this trial which never seems to end.  And you too can say, "I am Victorious In Christ!"  Actually, go ahead and say it right now . . . "I AM VICTORIOUS IN CHRIST"! Because, my friend, you are.  HE HAS ALREADY WON YOUR BATTLE!

"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." 1 John 5:4

Thank you for letting me share a little slice of my heart and life experience as I move closer to my commitment of writing more to help and encourage many others in the near future.

You are loved by an Almighty God.

"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."  Hebrews 13:5

#BeEncouraged #BeAnEncourager

Much Love and Hope,
Chaundelle Gage