NOT LIVING IN A YELLOW HOUSE WITH A PICKET WHITE FENCE
Sandy Martin
Key Scripture: Psalms 147:3-5
As a young woman, I pictured my life in a certain way, picture perfect. As an only child, I found myself quite often feeling lonely. I imagined living in a yellow house with a white picket fence, a house filled with kids, five to be exact. I also envisioned those kids being obedient and always doing what was right because that’s what we taught them.
It became apparent rather quickly that my dream house and my kids just didn’t fall into the category of ‘perfect’. How could I expect perfection when we, as parents, were far from perfect?
Two of our kids made bad choices concerning substance abuse. One of them paid the price by spending much of his time in prison. This turned out to be a 30-year struggle.
Amid their struggles, I felt like a failure as a parent, but I could never figure out why. What I’ve learned about our enemy, it’s that he can attack at any time if we don’t have the full armor of God. His attacks are even more brutal when we are feeling wounded. God can be trusted with the impossible in our lives. If we trust him completely, he can and will bring about healing and restoration within us.
My heart is healed from the wounds, but the scars are still there. God was my comfort during this time of waiting to see change. Psalms 147:3-5 says, “He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds, He counts the stars and calls them all by name. How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension!”
I’m so thankful I got to see dramatic and good change in the lives of my children. The lessons I learned weren’t easy ones, but I’ve used them to make positive change in my own life.
Steps of Faith: God, I ask that you walk beside each woman who has or is experiencing woundedness of any kind. I ask you to be a comfort and a rescuer to them and bring about peace knowing there is hope in their hurts. Please use their scarred hearts to be a bridge to others who have scars on their heart. Bring others into their life to be a support to them. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Deeper Walk Scripture: Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 40:29
