A gentleman attending a recent men’s retreat weekend reviewed his life story and arrived at new understanding. He stood up and shared this insight, “As an adult, I am responsible for my mistakes and poor choices.”

He paused. Then, with great relief he added, “But, I am not responsible for the poor choices, behaviors, and decisions of those around me when I was growing up.”

What he was saying was:

• My current behavior makes sense in a bigger context.
• The tension and conflict in my childhood home profoundly shaped me.
• The ways individuals treated me had a huge impact.
• The pain of rejection felt crushing at times.
• My early life was full of me just coping and surviving.
• I’ve been crying out for comfort.
• Today, I understand my lifelong hunger for belonging.

He then added, “For the first time, I’m putting my whole life together, and it makes me sad and hopeful.”

Prayer

Father, thank you for this new insight. It makes me sad and hopeful. Thank you for always being with me. Thank you for teaching me new things. Thank you for setting me free. Please help me grow in acceptance, comfort, and rest. Amen.

Bible Connection

Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you. – Matthew 7:7 (NIV)