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About the Author:
Regina
Murphy

As a mother of three, Regina shares her insights with humor, common sense and honest perspectives. Her authenticity is real. Her life lessons are valuable and her heart is genuine. Her biggest love is for Jesus and her hearts desire is to serve Him in all she does. Even the little things count to her.

 

Drinking in Restoration

By Regina Murphy

Synopsis: Repairing a home hair salon mistake leads to a conversation of real hope.

"Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you." - Psalm 25:20

Recently, I tried to highlight my hair. I am a brunette. Needless to say I did not get the desired effect. I tend to get in a hurry when I dye my hair. My arms get tired. There are other things to do, like go to bed, since the only time I have to myself is 11 pm .

With one side of my head on the other end of the color spectrum, I told my husband, "I think I should go get this fixed." He said, "Go for it. Why do you do it yourself anyway?” And I replied, "To save money of course." You would think I would learn after three years of my 'do it yourself hair salon' I would realize that I don't save money.

I found a coupon and with kids in tow, walked into a nearby salon by the grocery store. The girl at the front desk greeted me and as I told my story, she expressed that she went to high school with me and didn't I marry so and so. High school and I are not long lost friends. My years in school were spent seeking acceptance and worth from my peers and making life changing decisions. The anxiety hit me between the eyes as I stood trying to decide what to do with this blast from the past. Well, I did not know this person in school but she sure knew a lot about me! Not only did my anxiety light start blinking but my seventeen year old dormant shame bell started sounding. As I stood there blinking the Holy Spirit spoke. He said, "I have taken your shame." The voice broke the spell! I snapped out of my trance and commented on my teen marriage and pregnancy. I shared how God restored me and what I have known is a loving husband and three beautiful children. We shared our church affiliations and I commented on being fortunate to have only lived a year in my teen situation before getting my life together. Unfortunately for her she was still dealing with the residue from her past. I could tell she was drinking in the restoration I had experienced.

When I think of her now I pray she can experience God's awesome refuge against the shame her past mistakes created. Satan just loves for us to wallow in feelings focused on self. They keep us from looking forward into what God has instore for us. As a woman, shame and insecurity are Satan's best weapons. He wants us to remember those sins so we cannot grow in the Lord and experience the voice of the Holy Spirit. I don't know about you, but I am tired of thinking, do my actions appeal to others? When I am reminded by the Holy Spirit, Who am I trying to please with this decision? I am moving toward being like Christ.

“Let me not be put to shame, O LORD, for I have cried out to you…” - Psalm 31:17

Christ took my shame the day I surrendered to Him. I am forever in awe.

Copyright © September 20, 2005 – Regina Murphy. All rights reserved.

 

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