There once was a young woman who tried all her life to please her parents. She felt their love and acceptance as long as she followed their expectations for her. She also felt their punishment and rejection for not conforming to their wishes. The more she tried to be what they wanted her to be, the less she was her authentic self. She followed the career paths they had desired, striving for their approval and pushing herself to attain the highest goals and grades. People commented on her drive and hard work. Little did they know that she was motivated by the need for acceptance and love. Sadly, she was in a constant internal struggle to break free or being loved by her mother and father. This struggle continued well in to her adult life. Finally, the day came when she could no longer keep up the facade. She took some drastic steps to gain control of her life and the journey she was on. She moved several hundred miles away from home and began a new career. She slowly began to change her circumstances. She was proud of herself--from the smallest detail of dress and decor, she was matching her outsides with all that she felt within.
The woman wrote to her parents, sharing her experiences and sending her love. Unfortunately, they were not happy with her. They expressed that although they wanted the best for her, they could not continue to communicate with her. This withdrawal stopped her cold in her tacks~did she really have to decide between the love of her parents and being a fulfilled woman in her own right? She continued to write home but over the next several years did not receive a reply. She carried the emptiness and hurt, allowing it to shadow over her holidays and, more importantly, her sense of completeness.
One night, she gained the clarity and wisdom she needed to fill the hole in her spirit. In one of those quite times of reflection, she asked herself why she continued to set herself up for rejection. Her parents had made their decision and were not going to change. Since that was the case, it was up to her to accept it and move on. She prayed for the strength to accept what she could not change and began to read her Bible. She came to the verse in Psalms that she felt was meant to comfort her. "Although my father and mother have forsaken me, yet the Lord will take me up [adopt me as His child]." ~Psalm 27:10.
What a wondrous gift! The Lord is giving us unconditional love. He accepts us and receives us just as we are. Today, the woman has a family of her own. She remembers her own pain and is a better parent because of it. She leans on the Lord and looks to her Father. It has taken many years to recognize her parents did the best they could for her. She is able to love them in her memories and her heart, knowing that her life is complete with the love and Grace she holds so dear.
"The Lord will give [unyielding and impenetrable] strength to His People; The Lord will bless His people with peace.]~Psalm 29:11