Popcorn and Betrayal
A few hours ago I held my teen daughter while she wept.
Why is it, friendships are sometimes hard? Why do girls say things that hurt? As I held her and wiped her face, I spoke softly into the top of her hair, “Sweetie, I wish I could tell you when you’re an adult, friendships get easier. But, some friendships are never easy.”
Betrayal
A confidence.
Betrayal
Of trust.
I wonder, how in the world, can I help her work through the pain. How do I show her that it is worth it to invest her heart with another friend in the future? Tough questions for which this Mom isn’t exactly sure how to answer.
So, what does a Mom do? We head to the movie theater.
As we stood in line for a large drink and popcorn all I could think to say was, “You know, Sweet Girl, I don’t know what to say about what happened. I only can tell you what I know to be true and what works.”
I leaned in close to her ear, “I have been betrayed by a close friend. The ONLY thing I knew to do was to ask Jesus to give me wisdom. I asked Him to tell me what to say when I see her again. Then the second thing I do is to ask Him to just hold me when it hurts.”
I leaned away from her and looked into her eyes. They were brimming and she was swallowing hard but her lips tilted with a crooked smile, a half grin/grimace and she then nodded in agreement, unable to speak.
We moved forward in line. She gained control and whispered, “I know Mom. I really know. I always have Jesus and He will never betray me.”
I could read the relief as is spread across her face. She’s gonna be okay.
I’m not so sure I will be. But, as I type these words the Holy Spirit is flooding my soul. What was set in motion over the last couple of days was part of a plan. You see, my daughter is certain to face betrayal again in her future. How like God to orchestrate this seemingly small conversation while standing in the concession line as a lesson she will cling to for the rest of her life. She will have the ability to cope. She will be empowered to forgive and to trust once again because she knows Jesus.
She also knows Jesus understands how she feels.
Luke 22:48 …but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”
My daughter realizes the arms of Jesus are big enough to comfort.
2 Corinthians 1: 3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
Our world is broken and the Betrayer is relentlessly attempting to assail our hearts. But, if you will allow it, listen as our Lord moves closer and whispers in your ear.
“Sweet Girl, I know how you feel. My heart is broken every. single. day because you have been hurt. Trust me, I have your best interest at heart and I promise to give you wisdom to find the way through (James 1:5). My arms are big enough, strong enough to comfort (Psalm 71:21).”
The movie previews were rolling as we sat down. I glanced to my left and my teen was smiling. I smiled back then looked up and whispered, Thank you Lord. I leaned over to her with a big grin on my face and whispered, “Oh Girl, this is nothing. Wait until a boyfriend breaks your heart.”
“Gee, thanks Mom!”
We giggled. Ate popcorn. All is well with the world…..
….because our world is wrapped up in God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…. the God of ALL COMFORT!
Be comforted this day and if you need prayers of comfort, I am your stand-in-the-gap gal this week. Email me today and I will bring your name before the throne. Be blessed, Lynn
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Bless you for being a mom that always points your children in the right direction, straight to Jesus. I love you my friend.
Lynn, this was a wonderful post. I think you put it all perfectly. Thank you for the excellent example. I’m going to borrow your words and set them aside for the day I too have to face this with my kiddos. GREAT post.
And I hope that when your daughter does see her friend again, things will go smoothly – but if they don’t, she knows she has her Saviour and her sweet Mama to be there for her!!!
Lynn, I had a similiar experience this past week with my teen daughter except her pain was caused from a first love. I held her and wiped her tears and we talked. ALOT. We talked about love, boys and Gods plan. I never felt closer to my daughter as I did this past week as we talked so intimately. Isn’t that exactly what God desires from us? As our Father – He wants to hold us when our hearts are breaking and He wants to have intimate consversation with us. My daughters broken heart was a teaching moment for me with her and God wants to also have a teaching moment with us when we are hurting. Great devo today …love, Laurie
Lynn-
Beautiful post. And ministering words. Your girl is lucky you are her mom.
I loved this post. I loved the fact that you took her to the movies…hope it was a funny one. We have to grab every opportunity to speak Jesus to our children…even while waiting in line. And you never know what someone might have overheard that needing to hear your words.
Thank you for this!!!
Sometimes we don’t realize how interwoven our relationships with our children are with their relationship with God. I remember as a teen thinking – I can’t do that, I have God looking over one shoulder and my Mother the other! I know that her trust in me and in God were very instrumental in my maturing process as a Christian. She is in Heaven now, but her influence lives on.
Charlotte