…….even with your mother-in-law!!! Yesterday at church we had a little fun that made an eternal difference for many with Mardi Gras Sunday! We had masks, moon pies, a parade, and most of all, a move of God!

Nanna and I snapped a pic, thinking nothing of it. And as I walked away, I thought, “Wow! I’m so lucky to have a mother-in-law and had a mother who I didn’t and don’t have to wear a mask with.

How exhausting that would be!!! I began to think of what a difference that would make if I felt the need or chose to mask this or that to please the ones who are called by God to provide maternal care and nurture to me. Then it struck me that so, so, so many women do.

If you had to or still feel like you have to mask your behavior or way of doing things with people in your life who are supposed to be “your safe place”, I have a few ideas I’ld like to share with you. I have and probably still do in other relationships without realizing that I do with people I don’t feel as safe with or feel the need to protect myself with in ways. I catch myself now though a lot more quickly and make the intentional choice to ~ as hard as it can be for all of us if we are honest ~ take off the mask and just get real. This is how I do it and maybe it will help you – The thought literally comes to my mind that you can take me or leave me but all I can be is me and whatever the outcome, I’ll be happy ANYWAY & will choose to love you ANYWAY. This is where the rubber meets the road. Try it!! It’s super liberating!

1- Next time you feel judged or talked down to, choose to stay steady in who you are (teachable – yes!) but unwilling to pretend to be who they want you to be (preferring them – yes!) but not to the point of compromising who God made you to be.

2- Walk in a room – even that room – whatever one it is that most intimidates you….being unapologetically you! Even if you have to get a mask (and unfortunately we all have one now) and literally put it on and take it off in the car before you go in saying to yourself…..I may be wearing this medical mask but I will let it remind me to take off the figurative one in my mind with this person who intimidates me most.

3- Whoever you didn’t measure up to or made you feel left out because you weren’t enough or was supposed to nurture you but instead abused you…..whoever that is, take a moment right now & forgive them – not later, not when you are ready. You will never be “ready”. Just do it and go free. Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and wishing the other person will die but in reality, they are free as a bird (or so it seems) and you are over here dyeing slowly!!! Let it go & sometimes we need help with this. So call a counselor or DM me or get my books and course. My course is a culmination of thousands of dollars of therapy and courses I have taken or conferences I’ve invested in and a life time of hurt and healing. All for the low, low price of $30ish – not even sure lol but no need to keep hurting unnecessarily when you can be happy ANYWAY, love ANYWAY, and believe ANYWAY (coming this year in Jesus’ name!) and you can walk in this reality even in your relationship with your mother-in-law!

Happy Monday, y’all!

Adrienne

@addiecooley on Instagram @adriennelcooley on Facebook AdrienneCooley.com

PODCAST coming soon!!!! It’s taken a little longer than expected due to us moving and remodeling our house with lots of hiccups due to covid. But be watching!!!! It’s coming and so excited about it.