I heard from a mom last week who told me she was giving up because life’s too hard. I quickly replied, “You can’t give up. Your kids deserve a mother who’s willing to trust Christ with all she’s got. Your children need a role model, and God’s put you in their lives to do just that. Your children need to see faith in action and you’re the one to do it. So put one foot in front of the other and with Christ at your side, keep moving. Keep believing. Keep hoping!”
So what does it look like to “keep on, keepin’ on”? It’s a choice. An intentional decision to believe God, forgive ourselves, and let go. It’s a resolution to accept what is with a spirit of anticipation that God’s not finished with our story. It’s an action that reminds Satan he will not win. And as a mother, it’s a gift we give to our children—to advance with fervor, trusting God for what we don’t yet see.
Paul wrote to the Philippians, telling them to forget what lies behind (it promises discomfort) and to REACH frontward (Philippians 3). How could Paul advise the people of Philippi to forget what lies behind when he himself was guilty of witnessing the murder of Stephen, a prophet of God, even though it was before Paul became a Christian? Perhaps it was because he had experienced firsthand that his former mistakes were never meant to keep him in the bondage of shame and remorse. Paul understood that God’s forgiveness had released him as a prisoner. His message echoed to those who would hear: drop the excess baggage, former encumbrances, and yesterday’s mess-ups! Embrace the gift of the cross that Christ so freely offers. Rise up. God has more ahead of you than behind you.
Like Paul, what past regret or wishful do-over do you need to drop? Perhaps it’s a painful decision you made as a parent or a wrong doing that brought unwanted consequences. Maybe it’s rash behavior on your part that didn’t turn out the way you had expected. Past mistakes can be debilitating, serving as perfect ammunition for the enemy to shut you down. There’s no need to stumble on mishaps behind you. Concerning your blunders, stop clicking rewind and just delete them.
I know this sounds totally ridiculous, but one of my favorite things to do is stretch. I love to sit on the floor and lean forward, bending to the right, then to the left. It just feels good! Owww, at first, but awwww, later. I’ve noticed that while I’m stretching, it’s almost impossible to glance behind me. I know; I’ve tried. To do so puts a crick in my neck. Maybe it’s time to STRETCH our faith muscles. Through Christ, we are triumphant. We can do it. WE CAN DO IT! After all, the word triumph is nothing more than activating the word “try” with a little “umph” behind it.
About Pam Kanaly
Aloha! I’m Pam Kanaly, President and co-founder of Arise Ministries. But actually, I think Arise found me wanting to bless single moms years ago. Ministry was never on my mind as a kid. All I wanted to be was a hula dancer. So Mother enrolled me in the tiny tots’ class. Guess God knew I’d have two grandbabies born in Hawaii. I love the great outdoors. You might even find me spending time with my husband grizzly bear watching or camping. In fact, it was on a turkey hunt that God gave me the name Arise Ministries in 2002. I suppose it’s a good thing that I majored in Grammar in college since I love to write words of encouragement to single moms.