RELATIONSHIPS

Do you serve or volunteer out of a place of wanting to help or because of a nudge forcing you to do it? For fear of saying no?  Even more importantly are you serving because you are looking for a place to fit in or are you seeking approval? 

I know for me, it was the latter. I was constantly saying yes to people when I really wanted to say no. But the fear of letting people down bothered me. Then there was me trying to find my place to fit-in. And lastly only because I hate to admit it I was seeking approval from other people.  

Your phone dings. You look to see who it is. You see that a friend says she is in the neighborhood and is going to drop by. 

Your first reaction is sheer joy! You feel incredibly special that someone is wanting to see you. You can’t wait to talk to your girlfriend. Even if it is for only a few minutes. 

The emptiness is real. The heartache cuts deep. The loneliness feels like abandonment. The tears flow freely. There is no longer any room for me.  

Do the words relate to you at all? Have you ever felt that way? 

I know I have. But here’s the thing I have learned... all that chatter starts in your head and is plain nonsense. That is the devil playing mind games with you. And if YOU allow him to keep talking to you that way, he has won the battle. You gave him the power to win.

When was the last time you had a really good cry?

I am talking about that ugly cry that you save for when you are by yourself. Ya know the one where you are crying uncontrollably. Crying so hard you can’t catch your breath. The tears are falling so fast they could fill up a swimming pool.