Have you seen the Disney movie Frozen? If not, I highly recommend it. The story line has a strong emphasis on family and the power that comes from a family’s love, how the love for each other can change a situation. Chances are the dynamic vocals of “Let It Go” come to mind. This is a phrase I’ve uttered many times, but over the past several weeks, it comes out to the tune of the song. The kids sometimes roll their eyes, but with a smile. It’s fun. Gets the message across.
Besides the melody, I really like the lyrics. For someone who desires others to have a positive opinion of me, which boils down to the fact that I prefer people like me, this song has a bold message of assurance and confidence.
The fact is, sometimes we offend people without any intention. Sometimes speaking our thoughts, sharing our experiences or stating our values, upsets others. But that fear can’t control us. Sometimes we have to let it go, and trust God that He knows our hearts and weighs our motives, despite “what they’re going to say.”
I have much admiration for an individual who stands for what he believes despite what others say. My family and I have had the privilege of knowing this man over the past nearly 15 years. And while we had countless opportunities to see his heart through our time serving together in youth ministry, it was his sensitivity expressed to us in our own time of need that personalizes the depth of his character and his compassion.
In 2005, my husband and I made a difficult decision for him to quit working in order for him to assume a full-time focus on finishing his engineering degree. It was his goal to become an engineer and chipping away at it class by class appeared that it was too far out of reach. Since I carried the health insurance through my job with my Dad’s business, we felt it would be good buckling down and committing it all to achieving this goal.
Brandon started the semester on August 22, 2005 and my Dad passed away quite unexpectedly on August 29, 2005. Before long, we were selling his business and paying out of pocket for our health insurance. By November 2006, our savings was approaching depletion and Brandon’s projected date of graduating had been pushed back in result of an advisor’s neglect to detail. Brandon was sending out resumes, going on interviews, attending career fairs, but nothing was happening. We knew that come January 2007 we would either have to pay our $900+/month health insurance or our mortgage. Considering my medical history, it was a scary choice to make.
One Sunday morning, my husband grabbed my hand and stepped out to the altar. We needed prayer. We needed the Lord to work on our behalf. And the person who came to pray with us was Markwayne Mullin. I have to tell you I said in my heart, “Lord, not him. He has absolutely no clue where we are right now. “ But how humbled and touched I was when we walked away. I can only imagine the difficulty for my husband to share our situation with him. But Markwayne prayed with such intensity, such compassion, and such faith. You would have thought that he was down to the wire financially. He put himself in our shoes and prayed for an answer as if his life were to be changed by it.
So you’ll know the conclusion, my husband received a job offer about a month later. He was able to start December 28, 2006. Our health insurance never lapsed, and we were able to make our mortgage payment as scheduled. God provided for us and strengthened our faith through that season.
As for Markwayne, he has become a Congressman and occasionally I read his Facebook posts. I have no idea what prompted me to read some of the comments on one of his recent posts, but I did. And while I shouldn’t have been surprised, I was. Why? Because I know him. And I know that he isn’t who some people say he is. But I also know he can handle it. God has given him an assurance and confidence to do what the Lord has called him to do. And I admire that immensely.
Sometimes the comments of others are cold, but don’t let it get to you. Let it go. Don’t let the fear of what others say stop you from being you. God knows who you are. He knows your heart. Let’s buck up and carry on!
Joshua 1:9
This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
*click here to see the trailer for Disney's Frozen
*click here to see the sing-a-long of Let it Go
*click here to visit the site for Congressman Markwayne Mullin
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