One of my mom’s favorite stories about me is from when I was probably about 7 or 8.
I was taking swimming lessons in Seattle, in an olympic sized pool.
All the other kids had been swimming in the deep end for some time, and I couldn’t do it. I was paralyzed by fear.
She taught me
“I can do ALL THINGS through CHRIST, who STRENGTHENS ME”
She told me to sing it in my head as I stood on the diving board.
She showed me how to breath it in my breaths as I did the crawl stroke to the wall.
And then I did it.
That is the first significant moment of overcoming in my life.
As I washed dishes this morning, preparing for another day in court for my never-ending divorce, I heard her voice, and I saw her face, telling this story over the years.
I remembered a picture of me from that time, when I got a new bike.
I can and will kick all the ass through Christ who strengthens me.
As I was sitting here writing this, my mom, who was trying to call another place, accidentally called me. I haven’t spoken with her on the phone since the summer, when I was kicked out of the family picture. I told her about this memory, and I felt her love and connection through the pain, fear, and sorrow.
Perfect love casts out fear.
And as I hung up and let the sobs come, my friend walked the door unannounced to give me a hug.
I couldn’t be more loved or seen if I wrote the story of my life myself.
LOVE ALWAYS WINS
This is so precious. I’m so glad that you can still remember the good that was given to you and can see how it has blessed you. You can see past the surface emotions and can feel the love. Your heart seems so gracious.
Beautiful, Hallie. So beautiful. I was praying for you today.
Hi there, I’m Christona. I knew back at Fire when you first arrived and worked at maid in heaven and then fire. Sorry you’re going through such hard times. I understand having experienced my own variations of the same theme. Your writing style is refreshing real and relatable. #Christiansingle/divorcedmomofmultipels
woah!! how did you find me?!!