What if you quite letting your past define your future?

Tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
—Romans 5:3-4

So had a busy, busy few weeks. Then the girls went with their dad last night and I was pissed. Not at him, but at myself for not being able to protect them when they are gone. You see much of my life I have struggled with "who will protect me?" My own dad was in/out and my early relationships and even in my marriage no one seemed to be protecting Alisa. Seemed is the key word. In the last 12 hours or so I've realized that the times when I felt no one there, He was, God was, is and always will be. Then got up this AM and had this e-mail from Our Daily Bread (thanks Grandma Clements for being so faithful daily to read your Word and Our Daily Bread... see you again someday!!) with the bers abobe from Romans.

Late last night it hit me. The trials I faced as a young teenager and in the last 22 years so hae put me in the perfect place, with the best experience possible to now pray for, encourage and protect my own two beautiful girls. I know from first hand experience the road of disappointment, discouragement and trying to find that human someone who would protect me! Do I believe that someday I might find someone who is capable of being what my own earthly dad, early relationships and marriage was not... honest, dependable, trustworthy, and protector... yes His name is Abba Father and I've found Him!! I also believe His word and hae hope that someday I'll meet someone to share this trip around the world with who is at least willing to try his best to be those things for me. Tall order maybe but with God all things are possible. And if not God is eerything and enough.

I slept peacefully last night and woke up this AM with a peace that I've not had in 22 years. A peace about my past, of letting go of bitterness and anger at people in my life and at God for "letting it happen." Now I can see that if I'd never walked this same road then how would I so clearly see how to protect and coer my girls in prayer? How would I hae the faith I do today to be strong for them to be an example for them? How would I be able to help them realize everyone on this Earth will be at some time disappointing, discouraging and untrustworthy BUT God never will be!

That's it this AM. Thanks to a dear friend for insight last night and being bold in the faith and willing to put the truth out there and encourage me to stand in His peace instead of the way the world says I should respond.

So today I am free... free from letting my past define my future. What about you?