Godly Gals ~ LauraLee Shaw
Raindrops or Mud Pies?
By: LauraLee Shaw
I was in 1st grade when my singing talent was discovered, and the spring program put it to use. As I shook in my boots all the way to center stage, the lights blinded me from seeing anyone in the audience, thank goodness. In a cute ‘lil dress and rain boots, I belted out,
“Raindrops keep fallin’ on my head. But that doesn’t mean my eyes will soon be turnin’ red…”
I opened my umbrella on the 2nd verse and did a lil choreographed dance: “Cryin’s not for me, ‘NO,’ ‘Cause I’m never gonna stop the rain by complainin’ Because I’m free, nothin’s worryin’ me.”
The stage made me a hypocrite that night, even though I didn’t know what a hypocrite was. The truth is, I was not free. And I worried and cried through blue-eyes-turned-red a LOT. They weren’t cute, lil ole raindrops falling on my head. They were more like marble-loaded mud pies.
First, there was the patch I had to wear for my stigmatism at school everyday, along with big thick lenses for my weak eyes. Then there were the mean and teasing kids, telling me my mom walked and talked funny, chanting “Four Eyes” jingles from across the playground.
The one kid who did like me was a stinky boy, and he liked me so much that I spent recesses running from him, begging him to stop trying to kiss me. I’d go home from school to harsh realities, taboo realities. Ones I didn’t understand and made my stomach hurt almost all the time.
The mud-pies kept falling, and I’d guessed it was gravity’s fault.
But I can’t share this muddy story from my past without emphasizing the umbrella. It was strong. It kept me from falling down and drowning in my tear puddles. It was the decision that same year to put my faith in Jesus Christ. From that point, I knew deep down in my heart that my Father in Heaven was with me, protecting me in ways I couldn’t understand.
I won’t pretend that becoming a Christian that year changed everything. The junk ensued…worsened even. I didn’t understand why God allowed the bad stuff to happen, and I told Him so. But He never stopped giving me the faith to believe in His love for me, greater than anyone or anything could ever provide for me.
Psalm 16:11 became a dry patch of land along the way: “You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.”
True freedom isn’t about being brave enough or positive enough. It’s about holding on to Christ through all circumstances, letting Him be our Protector, our Joy…our very Life. As we walk step by step under the umbrella of His unfailing love, then and only then can we genuinely belt out, “Because I’m free, nothin’s worryin’ me.”
What circumstances do you need to release to God’s love and protection today?
The mud-pies kept falling, and I’d guessed it was gravity’s fault.
But I can’t share this muddy story from my past without emphasizing the umbrella. It was strong. It kept me from falling down and drowning in my tear puddles. It was the decision that same year to put my faith in Jesus Christ. From that point, I knew deep down in my heart that my Father in Heaven was with me, protecting me in ways I couldn’t understand.
I won’t pretend that becoming a Christian that year changed everything. The junk ensued…worsened even. I didn’t understand why God allowed the bad stuff to happen, and I told Him so. But He never stopped giving me the faith to believe in His love for me, greater than anyone or anything could ever provide for me.
Psalm 16:11 became a dry patch of land along the way: “You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.”
True freedom isn’t about being brave enough or positive enough. It’s about holding on to Christ through all circumstances, letting Him be our Protector, our Joy…our very Life. As we walk step by step under the umbrella of His unfailing love, then and only then can we genuinely belt out, “Because I’m free, nothin’s worryin’ me.”
What circumstances do you need to release to God’s love and protection today?
LauraLee Shaw is a Daughter of the King, wife of 20+ years, Mama bear & taxi driver to 3 stinkers, mentor, sister, friend, writer & speaker. She prays to view life’s past, present and future through Faith-colored glasses and encourages others to do the same. Visit her online at LauraLeeShaw.com.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LauraLee, I just absolutely love the heart He has given you to be so transparent and so authentic with everyone…especially women! Your heart shines through all you do and you are one fantastic lady! Thank you so much for sharing a piece of your heart with us here today!
Ok girls…it’s your turn! There are so many of you, like LauraLee, that see God in your everyday, ordinary life and have a story to share. I’d love to hear from you…that’s what Godly Gals is all about , Real Women, Real Life, Real Faith in action.
If you are interested in writing something for the Godly Gals series, then shoot me an email at melsworldministry {at} gmail {dot} com and I’ll send you a copy of the submission guidelines…it’s that simple!
I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
