Twenty years ago, I sat on my bathroom floor in my college apartment with a bottle of aspirin in my hand and was ready to take my life.
I sat on my floor in my apartment with a bottle to take my life. @UrVibrantFamily #imperfectmom Share on XI had battled depression and self-esteem issues for a long time, and the pain had become unbearable.
I wrestled with my jumbled, emotional thoughts. Although the pain was tangible and my soul felt completely spent, I’d become a Christian a year before and, hidden in my heart (way down deep) was a solitary life truth that quietly whispered:
I didn’t believe it that day, at least not fully. But having a tiny glimmer of that life truth in my heart was enough to compel me to put down the bottle of pills and pick up my Bible again and continue to push through the mess.
I know that’s a very heavy way to start off a post, but, friend, I want to tell you that it’s 100 percent true.
God’s whisper of “you are loved” saved me that cloudy March day, and it’s been re-making me ever since.
God’s whisper of “you are loved” saved me that cloudy March day @UrVibrantFamily #imperfectmom Share on XFast forward ten years. My life had radically changed: The depression was behind me, and now I was happily married with two small boys.
I was again exhausted and emotional, but for a very different reason. As I nursed a new baby all night and chased a toddler all day, my self-identity was once again in question.
I asked God, “Who am I?” as I embraced the relentless role of motherhood. And in my heart I heard him confirm once again:
You are loved.
It was then that I realized that this statement was not only something that could save my life, but that it could revive me in the everyday mom moments.
I also finally began to understand the truth that, although we can know God’s love right now, we will spend the rest of our lives exploring the immense depths of it. And then—wonder of all wonders!—we get to spend eternity in perfect fellowship with the One who is this incredible love.
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” Ephesians 3:19
This simple thought—“You are loved”—brings immeasurable comfort.
This simple thought—“You are loved”—brings immeasurable comfort. @UrVibrantFamily #imperfectmom Share on XWhen you realize that the One holding the entire universe together is the same one who is completely crazy about you, you find yourself realizing that there really is nothing to be afraid of.
Life doesn’t become perfect, but the pain becomes purposeful as you trust that He will re-make it into a glorious testimony.
I pray that you will be able to welcome this kind of love into your heart! Not just in a head-knowledge sort of way, but in a stake-my-life-on-it sort of way.
Not just in a head-knowledge sort of way, but in a stake-my-life-on-it sort of way. @UrVibrantFamily #imperfectmom Share on XDon’t just read your Bible, but spend time in God’s word exploring this concept in depth. Let this life truth be evidenced through your daily decision making and stress levels.
Allow God’s simple statement of “you are loved” to transform and change you. It is one life truth that can make all the difference!
About the Author: Alicia Michelle writes about living a beautifully imperfect journey through homeschooling, parenting, marriage and all family-related matters at YourChristianLiving.com. She has been married to her best friend for 14 years and together they spend their days lovingly guiding their four passionate and creative kids. Alicia is the author of Plan to Be Flexible and the Back to School Survival Manual. She’s also the creator/producer of Vibrant Christian Living’s online video courses “bloom: A Journey to Joy (and Sanity) for Homeschool Moms” and “rhythm: Guiding Your Family to Their Ideal Learning Flow.” She believes each day offers new opportunities to grow in grace and to trust God in unexpected ways; and that “acceptance with joy” is one of the hidden secrets to a full, contented Christian life. When she’s not keeping her household and the site firing on all cylinders, she can be found snuggled under a warm blanket with a cup of tea and a good book (and, if she’s lucky, something drenched in chocolate). You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest).
