Mama Bear nature...

"God defend me from my friends; from my enemies I can defend myself."

This isn't entirely true, I do want Him to help me with the enemies also. But when I read this qoute it made me think of a situation that my daughter is facing now.


Why is it that girls can be so "catty" with other girls? What is it in girls that makes them see other girls as competition? I found this to be true when I was young, and apparently it hasn't changed. There are just some girls that can't rest unless they find someone (another girl) to try and destroy. Some girls are so insecure with themselves that they have to try to pull down other girls so they will feel better about themselves. And the ones that come as friends first to do it, really sicken me.

I am sure you know I am talking about someone my daughters age, of course I would love to be able to say it was my 13 year-olds peers acting in this childish way, but unfortunately, it is my almost 20 year-olds peers that are behaving in such a immature manner.

I am just appalled that people could act this way. I really should end this here, before I say something that I shouldn't say. Or something that I would regret. But when you see something unfairly being placed on your child, a mother's anger rises within and your instinct to protect your young from evil kicks in. Some people are really evil in their hearts. Sunday morning our assistant pastor read this scripture and I have thought on it all this week. It caused me to pray that God would search my heart, and purify my heart and my intentions. I want the inside to be reflected on the outside.

Matthew 23:24-6

24Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
25Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
26Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

It is true that no matter how good you look on the outside, if the inside is not clean it will defile the outward man.

Luke 6:45

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

I want my motives to be pure, I want to deal with people in an honest and pure manner. I don't want to be deceptive or deceitful in my dealings in life. I don't want to appear one way, and be another way in my heart. I have always tried to be honest and straight forward. What you see is what you get. I don't try to put a pretty spin on things or flower my words to flatter or win friends. I am who I am...like it or not.

I am easy going, I deal gently with people, and it takes a lot to get my Irish temper up. I try keep those things under the blood of Jesus. I try to forgive and realize that people are just people, and although we all fight battles with our human nature, they are each different battles. I try to give people the benefit of the doubt. I try to remember that if their slip of humanity and carnality is showing, that it doesn't necessarily mean they are bad people. They just haven't gained victory in that area yet. Maybe God is working on them, and I try to see the areas that God is still working on me and show the mercy to others that God shows to me.

But like I said, when it comes to your kids, that natural Mama Bear nature comes out. And it causes you to want to lash out against the enemy and the oppressor. I have had to really pray for the Lord to help me to over come those feelings lately. It hasn't been easy, I have wanted to speak out and "give someone a piece of my mind." But I wonder if I really have any to spare! So I tell it to God. The scripture says that "vengeance is mine, saith the Lord." So I have been praying a lot over this issue.

Proverbs 25:21-22

21If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.

I have always taught my children to hold your head up high, knowing the truth about yourself, and ignore foolish people who try to hurt you. If you ignore them, they eventually get tired, realizing that their efforts are failing and they move on to someone else. Because this is one thing I do know; if someone is being ugly to you, treating you badly, lying on you and trying to hurt you, you can be assured, you aren't the first one they have done it to, and you won't be the last. There are those who thrive on this kind of thing. They feed off of it, that is just who they are and what they have chosen to be. But you have to be bigger than they are and let God fight your battles. Because when God takes care of it, it is taken care of...No doubt.

I know this post is random and kind of different, but I needed to express somethings that are rolling around up there between my ears. This is an attack of the enemy, trying to bring doubt about the wisdom of letting Lauren stay behind. But I know that God is in control. I have faith in Him, and I have faith in her. I know she will rise above it, as long as she stays on her knees and stays humble before God. He will bless her in spite of those who are trying to destroy her. This is a test/trial that she must face in order to move into the next level in her walk with God.

God has something special for her, and the enemy is trying to steal it away.

Sometimes when in our journey to become an adult, we have to learn some lessons the hard way. I can tell her until I am blue in the face that there are some people that can't be trusted, some people will purposely try to hurt you; but until she experiences it herself, she will never fully understand.

It is hard to watch your child get hurt. Just as it is hard when they are two and they fall and scrap their knee until it bleeds. It is hard to let go and know that there will be more hurts and more bumps and bruises. When she was little and she got hurt, I would pick her up and love her, pray for her, and tell her it would be okay. Now, I pray for her, hug her, and encourage her, and remind her that it will be okay. I also remind her that I am here for her, I believe in her, and I know that God will take care of it if she will just walk with Him, dedicate herself to Him, and seek Him first above all things.

This life and its struggles and cares are but for a fleeting moment in the whole of eternity. We must not get caught up in the cares of life and allow the devil to distract us from our purpose; from God's ordained purpose for our lives. Most of all, we must not allow these things to find lodging in our hearts and cause us to lose out with God. So whatever it is, we must let it go, release it into God's care. He knows our struggles, He sees our battles, weaknesses, and our hearts. He knows where we live. His divine purpose is to make us into a vessel He can use, make us into His image. All the other is just stuff, just distraction from that purpose.

As I type this, I feel His peace filling my heart and mind. I feel His love surround me, I know He sees and knows. It is all in His hands...

Another battle won, another enemy defeated...Thank you Lord for your goodness and mercy in my life. Thank you for reminding me that you are faithful and you are the friend that stays closer than a brother.