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One Word at a Time…Ego

When Joey was young, he wanted to do everything on his own, to prove he was a big boy. While learning how to ride a bike, his dad ran behind him until Joey said he could do it on his own. When he’d fall off, Joey would simply say…

“One more time, daddy.”

After he’d been riding on his own for a few weeks, he fell off of his bike and skinned up his knees. Joey’s mom tried to bandage the boo-boos, but he said he was fine, even though the look in his eyes screamed… It hurts, mommy!

As Joey grew up, he became more and more independent (and stubborn). When he and his girlfriend were going through some tough times, he wanted to go to his dad for advice, and to let his mom comfort him… telling him things would all work out fine.

Instead, Joey was determined he could handle it on his own, and did what he felt was best for he and Alyssa. He decided it would be easiest if they were to move in together, which would help the financial difficulties they were facing, and the problems Alyssa had with her family.

Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise. Proverbs 13:10

When his parents tried to talk to him about his decision, Joey knew they were right, but his ego and pride kept him from reconsidering and looking for other options. Within a few months, Alyssa was pregnant, they were still broke, and Joey was distraught.

One night Joey fell to his knees, surrendering for the first time since he was a young teen. Joey begged God to help him find the answers, so he could fix the mess he’d created.

The next morning there was a knock on the door, and Joey found his parents standing on his porch.

“We know you wanted to do this on your own, but we’re here to help you son. You aren’t alone… what can we do?”

Joey began to sob. His parents had always been there for him as a child, raising him with good morals, teaching him about Jesus’ love and forgiveness. They’d never let him down before, yet Joey continually shut them out when he needed them the most.

Now it was becoming clear that Joey still had plenty to learn from his mom and dad. They’d been married for twenty-two years, through the good times as well as the heartbreaking ones. They had raised three children, and somehow managed to love one another, no matter what challenges they faced.

“Please come in…” Joey managed to choke out through the tears.

As Alyssa walked in from the kitchen, she saw Joey and his parents hugging and crying. She stood there feeling alone and confused about what was happening. This is when Joey’s mom saw her and held out her arms.

“Come here, Alyssa. It’s all going to be alright. We’re here for both of you… and the baby.”

Alyssa felt the heavy burden on her shoulders lighten as she instantly fell into the open arms, feeling for the first time that things were going to change for the better.

“Can we please pray?” Joey asked solemnly.

This shocked Alyssa, since she’d began praying for Joey only a few weeks earlier. She knew he was a good man, but had been struggling with his own pride and ego, instead of letting go and having faith like he had when they’d met… which now seemed like a lifetime ago.

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matthew 17:20

As the four of them began to pray, Joey knew what he had to do… and was finally ready to be the man God had planned for him to be all along.

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