Living in the Solution

One of the things that God has pressed on my heart with this blog is focusing on the solution, not the problem. Yes, we all know that single-parent families are growing at rapid rates. We know that the divorce rate for first marriages is 50%. We have all heard the term "broken family" as it's used quite often. Recently I read that a "blended family" is the most common family in America. I tend to hear all about the "problem" and hypotheses as to what is causing it.

It's so easy as a single mom to get wrapped up in and suffocated by the problem. In the snap of my fingers I can be under a heavy cloud of worry, guilt, shame, self-pity, and resentment. Where does that get me? Digging myself a big hole, that's where! In the process I suffer and so do my kids. It doesn't do anyone a bit of good! Thankfully, I have many wise and loving women in my life who ask me, "Shannon, are you going to be part of the problem or part of the solution?" That snaps me back to reality really quickly!

I have a choice, I can get stuck in the problem or I can acknowledge it and move on to the solution. I have to make that choice everyday (sometimes several times a day). Sometimes I choose wisely, other times I don't. But that's okay, because I am human and there is grace. Life is SO much better when I choose the solution, it allows me to truly live! Someone once told me to hold my hand right in front of my face and then asked what I could see. Of course, I mostly saw my hand and a little bit of my surroundings. Then the person told me to extend my arm out in front of me. At that point my perspective flip-flopped. She said my hand was like my challenge(s). When I held them right in front of my eyes, that's all I could see. When I distanced myself from them, I could see a lot more of the things in front of me. Then, here is the kicker (my addition). Lift your hand up over your head while keeping your eyes focused in front of you, now you don't see the hand (challenges) at all. That's what happens when we truly and completely surrender our problems, hurts, etc. to God. More on that in the future :) The greatest part about all this is that I have a CHOICE. I get to choose my thoughts and my actions.

I choose the solution. I choose to thrive, not just survive. I choose to help others. I choose to be grateful for what I have rather than focusing on the all the things I don't have. I choose to draw near to God through the many opportunities I have during the day. I choose to parent my children the best that I can today. I choose to take care of myself. I choose to trust that God works everything out for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes (Romans 8:28). I choose to be honest with myself and others. I choose to do the best I can to change the things I can. I choose to work at acceptance and living life on life's terms. I choose to live!!