Be Authentic… Be Me
BRD REFLECTION 2025
2 Chronicles 12, 13 and Psalm 88 (NIV)
(Sandra Choi from Discipleship & Nurture)
READ:
For this devotion, I have focused on the following verses:
- He did evil because he had not set his heart on seeking the LORD. 2 Chronicles 12:14 (NIV)
- Every morning and evening they present burnt offerings and fragrant incense to the LORD…. God is with us; he is our leader…. 2 Chronicles 13:11-12 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
I wonder what the father-son relationship between Rehoboam and Abijah was like? Was it open where secrets were shared? Were they close with words of affirmation, hugs and kisses? The passage does not record these details but what caught my attention was when Shishak king of Egypt attacked, Rehoboam humbled himself and God preserved Judah. Abijah, Rehoboam’s son probably learnt from his father’s experience and knew to seek God when he battled against Jeroboam and Israel who were twice in men’s strength and had a perfect strategy to win the battle. Indeed, the battle belongs to God!
APPLY:
I can learn to be “me” as a mum, sharing my struggles and learnings with my 19-year-old daughter. To not focus on her results and achievements but instead her living, her experiences and her reflections from these experiences. To give words of affirmation and prayers of gratitude for what life teaches her; to offer support and encouragement when she is trying to make sense of her experiences; and to apologise when I have hurt her in my actions and words.
As I reflect if I’ve been “me” in my relationship with God my Father, I realise I can learn to be honest with my own emotions and be real to myself and God, growing from each experience.
DO:
Be authentic with my own feelings and thoughts. Journal learnings and a-ha moments from emotions and experiences, especially the difficult ones.
Be authentic in sharing my experiences and learnings when prompted even when the experience reflects negatively on myself.
Be prayerful and ask God for a humble and loving spirit in me as I learn to be an authentic mother.
PRAY:
Dear Lord, thank You for these reflections from today’s reading. Forgive me for my avoidance and thank You for being gentle and patient with me. I pray that You will give me the courage to be authentic in every relationship and experience; and be intentional to grow and live out my faith in You. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.
