A PIECE OF MY HEART ...growing up

I have been spending alot of time lately with my 13 year old daughter. We have been talking alot about friendships, best friends, boys, dating, school and just your typical teenage girl "drama" things.

At such a young age, she has already experienced some heart ache and disappointment in her friendships.

Suffering.

None of us like it, but yet it is part of growing up. This past week we have talked, cried, hugged and laughed. How it hurts my heart as her mom to see her suffer at the hands of her peers. But, all of the trials and hard knocks of growing up brings lessons for all of us to learn.

None of us want to suffer, in fact, most of us will go to long lengths to avoid pain. But suffering should not surprise any of us. Scripture tells us that we should expect trials, tribulations and suffering not just once but over and over.

When these sufferings and pain come, our Heavenly Father is just waiting for us to come and bear it all to Him. To unload our pain and allow Him to wrap His loving arms around us, as I have done with my daughter, and say "It is going to be alright!"

EPHESIANS 3:17 "Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong."

I have never felt closer to my daughter as I have these past few days as we poured our hearts out to each other. Our heavenly Father desires for us to pour our hearts out to Him in such a way. He craves to have this intimate time with us. His heart hurts when we suffer, but yet like a parent, He knows what is necessary for us to grow up (spiritually).

Do you see God's hand in your sufferings?

Are you putting your heart aches and pains in His trust?

Dear Lord, thank you for being my closest confident. In you, I can trust You! Help me, Lord, to respond to the sufferings in my life in a way that will become fertile ground for spiritual growth in my life. AMEN

and that is a piece of my heart today;