In 1999 I had the pleasure of witnessing the rebirth of my oldest son as he graduated from Army boot camp.  The hardest thing he has ever done in his life has become his reward and a powerful catalyst for his dreams and self-awareness.

It was not that long ago that he took the first step towards this momentous occasion by a simple declaration in the car while we were running errands.

“Mom”, he said, “I’ve just realized something.  I have so much to be thankful for.  A family that loves me, a home to live in, my health.  There is no reason that I can think of that I should have low self esteem.”

He paused, and my ears perked up as I flashed back to the many years of struggle he had experienced up to this point in time in his having any faith in himself at all.  “This is what I’ve realized” he continued, “Low self-esteem is nothing but an excuse!”

My heart stopped.  He went on, “See, if I say I have low-self esteem, it’s just an excuse to not take responsibility for my choices and actions, or to do anything about my present situation.”

(Rather takes your breath away, doesn’t it?)

Shortly after that, he enrolled into Job Corps, got his G.E.D. and then soon after, joined the Army.  All those nightmarish moments that every teen struggling with identity and worried parents came to an end.  He had uncovered the power of truth.

By the way, I really must brag … do you know what they called him in boot camp?  This son of mine who struggled so with whether God even existed or not?  This boy who saw more falsehood in church than in the streets?  They call him ‘The Saint’!  It seems that when he chose to fight the fiery dragon of self doubt and low-self esteem, he discovered his Father, the Creator of the Universe – and the reason to succeed.

Shannon Parish has retired from full time service as a Co-Senior Pastor, in order to pursue and further develop the ministry of Sarah's Tent and her business of Completed People, LLC.  A cartoonist, illustrator and creative life coach, Shannon devotes her life to encouraging those who are fed up with the 'status-quo' and are determined to discover and pursue their purpose and destiny in life.

In addition to Sarah's Tent, Shannon invites you to visit her other web sites at: www.completedpeople.com and  http://shannonparish.com

(c) copyright 2006 All world rights reserved, Shannon Parish, Completed People, LLC. For reprint permission, please email me.

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