After the Fear There Is Freedom

It was around this time last year when I asked my husband what his thoughts were on the idea of me starting a blog.  Not knowing what I would be writing about, his first response was concern that some blogs can be very offensive.  I smiled and reassured him that this would not be the case.  Although, I surely realize it could have and may yet happen – unintentionally I hope.  The fear I was more concerned about was the risk of judgment of others in sharing my heart in print.  
 
I’ve shared my testimony with our middle school youth group at church on a couple of occasions and each time I start out by telling them I was jokingly nicknamed “Loud Mouth” by my second grade teacher.  Not for obvious reasons, but because I MIGHT have said two words the entire school year.  That was me – the painfully shy girl who smiled at everyone but never said a word.

Today, even though I know I have a Savior who has no doubt master planned my life, I am ashamed to admit that I live in fear more than I should.  If you’ve ever raised a teenager, you have lived there or are living there yourself.  Fear that they will always remain true to God, fear that they will make the right decisions, and fear that they will grow up to trust Him in every aspect of their life.  In only two short years, my teenager will leave to go to college.  I won’t be at her fingertips … and what she will have to rely on (in my physical absence) is her faith to get her through whatever difficulty or trial she will face.

God has transformed that scaredy cat little blonde haired second grade girl and He has helped me overcome the fear of judgment in sharing my heart in print.  Chris Tomlin’s song Amazing Grace describes it perfectly.  My chains are gone.  I’ve been set free.  And I know that He will continue to be there for this mama on days when raising a teenage daughter are challenging.  I also know that He will always be there for her when she needs Him.  He is our foundation and He always will be. 

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

After the fear there is freedom.