Spoken For!
My daughter is nearing the end of her first year in middle school. Funny/strange how things change, yet they remain the same. Her struggles this year are the same growing pains most of us girls had to face when we entered Jr. High.
I remember how monumental it was when I first started my, ahem, that time of the month. I freaked out over my first pimple. I recall turning five shades of red when my mother hugged me in front of my friends. I endured teasing because of my silly last name. Don’t ask!
My nightmare, however, was gym class. I think it’s called P.E. nowadays. At least once a week the girls and the boys suited up in baggy gym closes and headed for the field to play kickball or some other team sport. I dreaded team sports.
The Coach would call out two team captains and they would begin to choose up sides. Because I was short, thin, and not very strong, guess who was not picked? I was the consolation player. I stood there willing my name be spoken, listening to others around me as they cheered and applauded at their selection. I kept my eyes down and endured the humiliation.
I was never spoken for.
Adolescent experiences can travel with us into our adulthood. I know I carried mine. Like so many years ago, we think I just don’t fit in.
Why don’t they ask me to help at church. Where they just laughing at me behind my back? What is wrong with me?
Two days ago I was feeling like a middle schooler all over again. Questions of security and insecurity were creeping in. Without fail my champion arrived. He drew me in through the words of a song:
Take this world from me
I don’t need it anymore
I am finally free
My heart is spoken forOh and I praise you
Oh and I worship you…Covered by your love divine
Child of the risen Lord
To hear you say “This one’s mine”
My heart is spoken for
Now I have a peace
I’ve never known before
I find myself complete
My heart is spoken for
Oh and I praise you
Oh and I worship you…By the power of the cross
You’ve taken what was lost
And made it fully yours
And I have been redeemed
By you that spoke to me
Now I am spoken for
Take this world from me
Don’t need it anymore…
—Mercy Me
The King pronounces. “This one is mine! She is spoken for. I will never forsake her. She is bound to my Kingdom forever, and ever, and ever.â€
Lord, You are my Hero. You rescue me from my fears and insecurities and claim me as your prized possession. Thank you Jesus, Thank you. Amen
Ephesians 1:4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
I am spoken for!
Amen Lynn, it is amazing even as an adult how the feelings can come flooding back. I hate those feelings, but Satan tries to use them.
I have become wiser and more equipped to try to head it off, when I feel that downward spirial.
This is beautiful post.
Oh how I can relate! I remember well- “we don’t want Janet. You take her…”
With the echoes of childhood ridicule still ringing in ears, my peers laughing at my sad attempts to hit or catch or run, I came into adulthood terrified to try new things. I wouldn’t dance at wedding, engage in friendly volleyball games at church picnics or drive bumper cars on a date. All for fear of being laughed at.
It was my husband who brought me out of this. With his encouragement I went back to college, learned to use a computer (that was scary for me back in 95!), and got serious about writing. What joy and freedom now that I am doing what God made me to do without all of that fear. Thanks Lynn.
Beautiful post, I thank you.
As I read through your post, images of middle school popped in my head. Images of a short frizzy haired girl that was clumsy and who was very rarely picked for teams. No matter how old we are, or who we are, we will have feelings of insecurity now and then. But like you have let us know in this post, we are spoken for.
Fine- next time you’re gonna have to add a mascara may run disclaimer…….if you’re going to make me CRY!
That was wonderful— I think we forget to remember we’ve been chosen- spoken for- by the one who matters most.
Somedays I’m stuck in Jr High…. not a great place to be. Thnx for this post-
I’ll also remember to CHOOSE the ones sitting on the sidelines….. the lonely and left out.
ts
All those urgings to belong are Satans twisting of our urge to beliong to Christ and be part of His family. Praise the Lord we do belong!
I had the similiar experiences before. And also now sometimes I also experience insecurities&fear deep in my heart. If I just indulge myself into it, easy for me to feel that I am abandoned by everyone in the earth. I could not remebered that I am loved by my family&friends, then most important by the Lord. So now I just learn to say:” bad thoughts , away from me. in JESUS’S NAME .“when I am down. When we change our minds to another things, then we can see the hope in front of our ways, and easy for us to deal with the things we meet.
PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS LOVE BEING SHOWED TO US.
I can soooo relate to this post! I still have those feelings of not belonging or not be the chosen one. Then to have to relive it with my son when he doesn’t get chosen for something, it’s painful.
Praising Jesus for always making us his number one choice.
Blessings~
Willie—Just wanted to let you know how glad I was today to click your link and be able to read what you’d written! I couldn’t figure out how to comment— but want to let you know- I agree- better a hard truth than a soft lie!
Glad you’re here- and reading;)
Your sister in Christ- Tracey- (from Laced with Grace;)