I have been reading Rob Bell’s newest book entitled, Jesus Wants to Save Christians: A Manifesto for the Church in Exile while Matt has been away. My terribly hard mothering day today and the following quote from the book inspired this little piece of writing tonight. . .
“Writer Anne Lamott says that the most powerful sermon in the world is two words: “Me, too.”
Me too.
When you are struggling,
when you are hurting,
wounded, limping, doubting,
questioning, barely hanging on,
moments away from another relapse,
and somebody can identify with you–
someone knows the temptations that are at your door,
somebody has felt the pain that you are feeling,
when someone can look you in the eyes and say, ‘Me too,’
and they actually mean it–
it can save you.”
- p 151, Rob Bell and Don Golden, Jesus Wants to Save Christians
So, not in an effort to “preach a sermon”, but in an effort to be authentic and to identify–
If you’ve ever cursed in front of your children, me too.
If you’ve ever just gone to sleep instead of really “fixing things” with your spouse, me too.
If you’ve ever battled the fingers of depression, pulling you to overeat and isolate, me too.
If you’ve ever compared yourself with another and come up short, me too.
If you’ve ever turned out the lights at bedtime and felt like you had really messed up motherhood that day, me too.
If you’ve ever disciplined or acted out of anger, me too.
If you’ve ever said something you totally regretted the second it left your lips, me too. If you’ve ever battled an eating disorder, me too.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, discouraged, prideful, or judgemental, me too.
If you’ve ever gone much too long without truly thanking the One who is the “Giver of all good gifts”, me too.
If you’ve ever sent your kids out the door with the full knowledge that their socks don’t match, me too.
If you’ve ever struggled in your marriage, me too.
If you’ve ever had tunnel vision for the wrong thing or goal or person, me too.
If you’ve ever gossiped and regretted it, me too.
If you’ve ever bought something on sale that you didn’t really need, was too tight but it was the only size left, and when you got home you wished you could take it back but couldn’t because of the ‘no refunds’ policy on such a clearance item, me too.
If you’ve ever put something on the credit card, even though your cash envelope (which was supposed to control your spending this paycheck) was empty, me too.
If you’ve ever toyed with giving up, me too.
If you’ve ever resented someone that was too little to deserve it, me too.
If you’ve ever doubted the One who made you and loves you more than anything, me too.
If you’ve ever eaten too much chocolate, me too.
THREE MONTHS in THIRTY SECONDS
Breanna's House of Joy and Joy to the World Outreach.
Destined Traveler.
Tattered Couch.
From Then till Now
23. February 2009 at 2:27 pm
Wow, Laura. This is honesty that gives us all permission to be honest. THANK YOU!
23. February 2009 at 6:02 pm
love this raw stuff.
thanks, laura.
me, too.
24. February 2009 at 3:53 am
Wonderful post! Been there, done ALL that. You absolutely do not walk alone. Praise God for His Grace and mercies which are new every morning.
24. February 2009 at 6:35 am
me too! Thanks for your honesty! love you and love the knew pic on the top of the blog! love you!
26. February 2009 at 4:19 pm
If you’ve ever been so inspired by a friend who isn’t afraid to share ALL of her heart with everyone fortunate enough to be in touch with her…me too. Thank you for being you and for giving of yourself so openly. Moms and friends don’t come better than you
26. February 2009 at 4:43 pm
Well said, and what a breath of fresh and honest air. Me too. You are an inspiration to more than you know – myself included. Thank you for being you.