Has there ever been a time in your life when all of a sudden a song or a word triggers old memories of the past? I think all of us have had those experiences at one time or another. And when it happens those old childhood remembrances can affect our mood and even the way we look at ourselves. I believe that God wants to heal our memories and use positive reinforcing nuggets from every day life to speak to us in modern day parables.

When I was four years old I had long golden blond pigtails that dangled in the wind as I ran across the back yard past the chicken pen. I would run for hours playing and letting the wind catch the ribbons that were woven into my braids. The colored streamers would gently sway in the breeze while I dreamed of far away places or pretended that I could fly. My world was small, and I was confined by the white picket fence that surrounded our small wooden home.

I grew up admiring my brother who was eighteen years older and called him my “superman” for to me he was the man of steel. Sometimes he would tease me and sneak up behind me and grab my pigtails, wave them in the air like the reigns of a horse and would say to me, “giddy-up horsy.” I would wrap my little fingers across his weathered tan hands trying to break lose screaming for my mother. I was convinced He was making fun of me and his mannerism of affection left much to be desired. “I am not a horsy,” I would scream as I tried to break lose from his grip.

I now look back at those years and realize that my brother was showing me affection even though I thought his method was far from a gesture of love.

As the Lord quickened that memory, I now see it in a different light. My big brother would lift up my pigtails, swing them in the air and tease me to let me know that I was this little child he loved. Sometimes we may not fully understand a gesture of affection. We try to defend ourselves or live a life running in a face past world not wanting to deal with memories of the past. But the Lord does not want us to view ourselves as victims but as victorious.

When we have misconception about ourselves, God comes to reveal His truth about us and helps us to continue to press forward, even when we are unsure of the journey.

When I am uncertain of things in my life the Lord gently lifts my spirit and says, “Giddy up daughter of mine and let’s get going.” When He does this I don’t feel quite the same as when my brother held my pigtails and teased me as if I was a cute little pony. Instead my God lovingly gives me encouragement and gently reveals truth through an experience I had as a child.

All of us have areas in our lives that have been damaged by words that people have spoken over us. But when God comes and speaks into our lives He lifts our heart with a gentle word and brings us into action and deliverance. I must giddy up and run the race that has been set before me. Paul says in (1 Cor. 9:24) that we must run the race with perseverance. There will be roadblocks along the race if life as we run but we can overcome every obstacle that comes to slow us down because God is with us.

Meanwhile let us respond when God tugs at our hearts. He will take your life put it in the palm of His hand and guide you along the way. His grip will be there to never let you go, and His love to carry you through. So let us remember although it may be hard we all need to giddy-up and get going for God.

Prayer: Father God, I thank you for the love you gave me by sending your Son Jesus Christ to die for me. I realize that I have not fully experience your love and forgiveness for my life that was given to me by Jesus Christ on the cross. He died for me so that I may live forever. So I ask you to forgive me, and wash my sins away. I now invite Jesus Christ to come into my life and I ask you to help me to walk in a way that is pleasing to you. Thank you for reaching down from heaven and touching me with your love and giving me life forever with you. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen

If you prayed this prayer from your heart, I would love to be in prayer for you about this important decision. Please email me at EvelynSpeaks@aol.com. God bless you.