Stop. Look in the mirror. Then, get out of your own way.

I had an epiphany today (okay maybe not that grandiose). More like my eyes were opened to a truth that I already knew, but never fully understood. To explain what I have learned I have to tell you a story that’s a little personal (which is somewhat disconcerting to me). My parents have been divorced for about five years (due to circumstances that I will not divulge). The breakup devastated my mom. As a result my usually strong willed, strong armed mother became a shell of her former self. Her devastation turned to anger and for a good year just saying my father’s name would send her into a rage. After the rage passed, what remained was someone that was fearful and lonely. She had turned into the kind of person, where you would say something that was amazing, and she would find the down side. Today, as I was driving with her she turned to me and said, “I am so joyful. My heart feels so light. I am truly blessed.” What happened, you ask? I’ll give you a hint, it’s my two favorite words in the Bible…But GOD. She was walking a road that led to nothing but unhappiness and fear, but God stepped in. Literally. Her story is hers to share and someday I hope she does. But here is the gist of it, She prayed and God showed her clearly that the only thing standing in the way of her walking out of her darkness into light was, HER. So she made the choice to step out of the fear and darkness that had become her crutch and step into God’s light. The journey was hard, she had days that she fell. Days that she wanted to go back to the darkness she felt comfortable with. But she pushed through all the while holding on to God’s promises, and today she lives in JOY. So what’s my epiphany? We are our own worst enemy. We place the blame on others (my mom blamed my dad), and evade the responsibility of looking at ourselves. It wasn’t until my mom realized that she was her stumbling block, that she was able to get out of her own way. Maybe the person or circumstance you’re blaming really isn’t the problem. Stop. Walk to the mirror. Take a good look at you. Then make a decision to get out of your way.

“Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us” (Romans 12:3 b, NLT).

So what am I thankful for today? Mom’s back, and better than ever.