What 37 Pennies Taught Me About the Debate Over Gender Identity and Bathroom Choices

Do I want my daughter to embrace her femininity, to feel comfortable in her womanhood? Yes, of course. And do I want my kid to get hurt. No, of course not.

Tom and I ping-ponged, “Should we warn her?” 

Fear was crowding out trust. ‘What if she never comes back to church?”

Trust. Can I trust God 37 cents worth? 

Tom and I decided to let faith win over fear. I struggled mightily over this. It went against my mama bear instincts to protect her. I had to recall God’s great love for my child (bigger than mine) and God’s knowledge of her (deeper than mine). I needed to remember who my God is: faithful, good, all knowing, ever present, all powerful.

I cried a big ugly cry. (A really ugly cry.)

Sunday night Tom asked Courtney how she felt during the sermon.

“To be honest it was really hard.” Tears filled her eyes. Ohhh. Ohhh my mom heart. 

“I’m so proud of you for staying and listening. You are so brave. Why didn’t you get up and walk out?”

“Nick was preaching from the Bible. He wasn’t stating his opinion, just God’s word. He said his message in love.”

Truth and love for Courtney.

Trust and faith for me.

God is working in both Courtney and me.

And when I struggle with trust, I now ask myself, “Can I trust God 37 cents worth?”

Where do you need 37 cents worth of trust?

Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
 Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him and he will do this:
 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
    your vindication like the noonday sun.
 Be still before the Lord
    and wait patiently for him.
Psalm 37: 3-7

***

This article originally appeared at 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting.


Lori Wildenberg
Lori Wildenberghttps://loriwildenberg.com/
Lori Wildenberg is passionate about helping families build connections that last a life time. She is a licensed parent-family educator and co-founder of 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting. She has written 4 parenting books with Messy Journey: How Grace and Truth Offer the Prodigal a Way Home published by New Hope as her most recent. She is a parent consultant, national speaker, and lead Mentor Mom over at the Moms Together Facebook Community Page. Lori is a contributor to a number of on-line magazines. Every Monday you can find her blogging about faith and family at loriwildenberg.com. Mostly, Lori is wife to Tom and mom of four. The Wildenbergs' home is nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. A perfect day in Lori's world is a hike with her hubby, four kids plus a daughter-in-love, and Murphy the family labradoodle.

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