Losing the Big "L"

Ii was asked to speak to a group this morning about the question, "What was your day of freedom from shomething that held you back?"

I thought I'd share with you part of my answer - an excerpt from my book, Mom NEEDS Chocolate, about adopting a winning attitude.

"When I was in high school, I was always second best. Number two position on the tennis team, red ribbon in the science fair, vice president of the student body; and I finished one tenth of a point behind my best friend's GPA.

I couldn't actually win anything. I was afraid that if I really tried, I would fail and be humiliated. Far from living large, I was living lukewarm. Not hot, nearly cold. I just couldn't - or wouldn't - put out that extra effort to achieve.

But a funny thing hapened about eight years after high school. I had kids. My viewpoint began to change. The passive little girl who'd always accepted her lot in life as second best got, well, fired up.

I wanted - no, demanded - the very best for my kids. I intended for them to reach for the stars and be all they could possibly be.

Second best wasn't good enough. Not for them, and not for me.

Philippians 4:13 lit a spark that blazed in my soul. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Was it true? The verse didn't say some things, it said all things. I finally had a creed, a powerful truth to cling to, the spur I needed to give me confidence to lead by example in going for the gold in pursuing my life goals and encouraging my children that they could, too.

I'd been blessed with a natural affinity for the written word and always dreamed of being a writer. So I dared to try. I now write Christian magazine articles and books with the single goal of expanding God's kingdom. "

Fear was my limiter. My jailer. My oppressor.

So how about you, dear friend? Would you share with me your day of emancipation?