"But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God." John 3:21 NIV
A few years ago, I was riding the shuttle bus in my neighborhood, heading home after a long day of work. As the bus moved away from the curb, a little girl of about 5 or 6 traveling with her mother jumped off her chair and started walking around the small space. Now the tiny shuttle was notorious for its bumpy ride with starts and stops, so it made sense to me when the child's mother asked her to take a seat. I was unprepared for what happened next:
Child: "I'm fine."
Mother: "You have to listen to mommy, or you won't be safe."
Child: "I am safe. One day I am gonna go to college and take care of myself."
Mother: "Who will cook for you? Take care of you, and keep you safe?"
Child: No response, but kept standing for several stops.
True story.
Now, no matter what we might say about the child-rearing practices that led to a discussion rather than a directive, there is, I believe, a powerful message in this story that applies today. I'm drawn back to the words I heard from the mom on the shuttle:
"Who will cook for you, take care of you and keep you safe…"
Her words stuck out to me so much, I placed them in the notes section of my phone moments after she uttered them because I knew it was a great example of how we make meaning of our lives. For me, the message is loud and clear, obeying me now is not just for your safety as a child, but it's for your life. It may seem like nothing but, as a psychologist who has worked with countless adults who are unhappy living lives and working in careers that they don't love because it is safe, or because someone told them it was the "right" career, the "right" relationship or checked all the appropriate boxes. Or who are suffering racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination to work at the "right" company for some future reward I know these messages unexamined stick with us.
From an early age, we are taught to listen to our parents, heed their warnings, learn skills for navigating the challenges of life, and keep ourselves safe. I believe this is important. Somewhere along the line, without re-examination, those messages can turn into "shoulds" "musts" and a host of other messages that may not fit into the life our Creator has for us as adults.
If there is anything that this time in our history may teach us is to look at the conscious and unconscious decisions we have made not to speak our truth, live our truth or walk the Divine path God has laid before us. This country is changing FAST, and I believe it is a time for prayer, quiet and meditation to explore notions about who we "ought" to be. This is the time to shed patterns that no longer serve us, the time to boldly speak our truth. Try it, you might be surprised about what God has in store for you.
Reflection
After spending time in prayer and quiet, I invite you to take seven deep breaths and journal your answers to the following questions. What in your life is not working? What is God telling you about this thing either now or in the past that feels hard to accept? What is holding you back from accepting this message? What do you need to heal? What do you need to say, release, or do to be on the path that God has for you?
Prayer
Holy God, thank You for the blessings, opportunities, love, and support that You have brought into my life. I desire to draw closer to You and more deeply know who and what You have made me to be. God, I ask for Your help and guidance to be on Your path, not simply my own or the path others have laid out for me. God, I am opening my eyes, ears, and heart to You. In Jesus' name, amen."
Photo by Ross Findon on Unsplash
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