One pet peeve I have is when someone has to tell me how busy they are as a lead into why they can’t do something, or were late in doing something, or want to get out of doing something. When the list of what keeps them busy takes 5 minutes or longer then it’s taking pet peeve to a whole new level. 😉
Which is exactly why I won’t give my reasons as to why my ‘daily blog’ has turned into a double up the days blog. 😀 It’ll get back on track, I know it! For now I’m giving myself permission to do what I need to do. And this is a step, let me tell you, because ‘giving myself permission’ for anything was not an option in my realm of thinking not long ago.
If anything the BIG message for me is God telling me take care of what you need to take care of and everything else will fall into place. Like Seth, for instance, he’s been home sick these past two days which has been a ‘wrench’ of sorts but one that redirects my priorities completely and I’m A OK with that.
Another blessing I’ve received in these last two days is watching the interview between Dr. Phil and Michelle Knight, one of the three women who was held captive by Ariel Castro in his home in Ohio.
Michelle Knight is amazing. She is my hero. This is a woman that had suffered through emotional abuse in her home by her mother, made to feel un-worthy and un-wanted and then taken by Castro. He capitalized on realizing her mother wasn’t looking for her and in her 11 year captivity repeatedly reminded her that she was nothing, not worthy, not loved by anyone as he raped her, beat her in the head, and physically abused her so badly she has permanent nerve damage in her hand and eyes.
Why is she my hero? Because she sat in the interview with Dr. Phil and looked him in the eye (as best she could) and with a strong VOICE told her story and expressed how she survived because she would not allow Castro to ‘break her’. She knew her worth despite what her mother said and through 11 years of unimaginable terror and torture she held onto her worth and dignity.
We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
Her compassion for LIFE shone throughout the interview as she spoke of the five miscarriages she endured as Castro physically beat, kicked and stomped on her to force the miscarriage. She cared about the baby inside of her and that’s when you could see her true pain burn in her eyes.
Eleven years Michelle suffered through the unthinkable and here she is giving herself permission to live again. To step out, to speak out, and say to the world “I’m alive and he did not break me!”
One day I want to meet her and give her a hug. Thank you, Michelle Knight, for proving how resilient a spirit can be.
May we all give ourselves permission to recognize our worth.
Blessings
Shannon