A Little Bit Stronger...

I heard this song for the first time the other day. Wow! It brought back some old memories and unforgotten pain…definitely brought some tears to my eyes. It's called A Little Bit Stronger by Sara Evans. It’s a pretty good song…you should give it a listen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22zB6Soc2Gk

It has some amazing lyrics that describe some emotions I’ve felt before. Almost 5 years ago I left my ex-husband and it was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. At that particular time I felt it was the right thing to do and the only choice I had. In those next few months and even years, I thought that there was no way I could make it through. I had so much heartache inside...you know the kind where you’re on your knees on the floor…trying your hardest to breathe through all of the tears…asking the ever constant question why…and trying to figure out where it all went wrong. I spent a lot of time yelling and bargaining with God. I just couldn’t understand how this was all part of His plan for me.

But thankfully, even though I was angry and hurt, I still listened to Him and this is what I heard. Yes I know child…but you need to breathe…it’s time to let it all go…time for the pain to leave…yes I understand…it’ll hurt for awhile…but I instilled strength in you…once again you’ll smile…where’s that courage…have I ever led you astray…you’ll get through this…tomorrow is a new day…wipe away those tears…oh yes you can…because you still have faith…in My plan…

Over time I started to hear what He was trying to tell me. Sometimes it takes tragedy for us to see the blessings in our lives...to see the reflection of ourselves that we aren't so proud of...it is here that we have a choice to make…we can choose to stay the victim of the tragedy…or we can choose to learn from it and grow in character. Even though it was hard at first I started to see the lessons within my situation and opened my heart to learn from them. Was it easy? No. But each day I got stronger and each day it got a little bit easier. That was the key…I had to take one day and sometimes one minute at a time.

Sometimes we have to lose what we love the most…to figure out where we belong…until then wear a smile…and let your heart remain strong…like an anchor…sometimes our past…will consume our hearts…and hold us back…so instead try to laugh…and learn to be free…we have to let go of who we were…to become who we’re meant to be…because in the place that we are…we will never leave…unless we decide…where we’d rather be…

I believe it is necessary to go through the journey of pain…instead of being removed from it. It makes us strong and challenges our faith. It teaches us that a broken heart is what gives us compassion…understanding…and strength. A heart that has never been broken will never know the joy of being imperfect. It is when we are imperfect and vulnerable…that we learn to forgive...which opens the door to compassion…and leads to understanding. Without these two…we would never know true strength. Someday there will be someone that crosses your path…who is going through their own journey of pain…someone who needs your strength and encouragement for their journey. This is your chance to pay it forward…with your help…they won’t have to do it alone.

So I’ll leave you with this…

Always remember…a person who has a voice…is by definition a strong person...rest assured the journey to find that voice took courage…they withhold the strength to make it through the rest of the journey…but a person with true strength…knows that it’s in this journey…where they will become strong…

And when you need a reminder…write this on your mirror or even a post-it note…I know my heart will never be the same…but I’m tellin' myself I'll be okay…because even on my weakest days…I’ll get a little bit stronger…

Inspire-A-Footprint today...
Love, Tonia

Inspire-A-Footprint today by forwarding this to a friend! They can sign up for daily doses of inspiration too!
http://inspirationalfootprints.blogspot.com/