I Am Done

Posted on November 6, 2015 by Graeme Wilson in Victory Call

Have you ever said the words, “I’m done”?

Related to some person, place or thing most of us could come up with at least one instance when we’ve spoken or thought the words, “I’m done.”

The opportunity to utter these two simple words is connected to a wide range of situations, circumstances, etc.

For example, one that jumps to the forefront of my mind is related to children. How often in their developmental years have we, who are moms, heard the loudly proclaimed, “Mommy! I’m done!!”
More often than not their exclamation is met with resounds of praise, simply because something for which we have patiently trained and waited is now an occurrence worthy of affirming. I’m smiling to myself right now as multiple such moments play over the screen of my mind…and heart.

There are however, other times when those same words, “I’m done” are not praiseworthy. An example of this can be gleaned from childhood as well but I’m going to fast forward a few decades to a different scene. In this scenario it is you or I who are loudly exclaiming, “I am done!” The context here is relationship. Someone has disappointed or let us down; they’ve hurt us with yet another lie or failure; we’ve suffered—once again—because they didn’t show up where/when or how they promised. Perhaps the individual we are “done” with has displayed character flaws that you simply find unacceptable; they aren’t functioning or doing life the way they absolutely should. Therefore, we have come to a place of being “done with them”. We are deciding for the reasons above or any number of other inferences or judgments that they simply are not going to be on our list of favorites anymore. So, they cease to be on our radar, our friend list; we unlike them; stop following, tweeting, commenting, etc., etc., etc.

As I began ponder those words (I’m done) this morning, the question that came to mind was, “what does it mean for a person to say they are done with me? And what in the world does it deep down propose for me to think or say, ‘I am done’?”

Dear sisters, I’m not sure I have a complete and full answer but this I do know, it speaks much of my own heart for me to ponder and then act upon “being done” with another individual, sister or brother (in blood or by faith) simply because_________ . You fill in the blank.

Without casting stones at myself or anyone else, I’d have to wonder if pride was rearing its ugly head and leading me to think more highly of myself than I ought. To consider shutting someone out of one’s life is a step that we’d be wise to consider deeply on our knees in prayer before moving past go.

What is man that the Lord of all creation is mindful of him? Who are we that God, our heavenly Father, Lord and Savior is mindful of us?  We are but dust.

I can’t help but think of Job 38 when God reveals Himself. Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: “Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me.” Job 38:1-3

I’d encourage you to read it fully for context and perspective and then consider this, who but God ever has the right to say, “I’m done”? Selah

Stephanie Dale

Stephanie D. Paul serves as part of the Addiction Recovery Team at America’s Keswick as Director of Women of Character. She has been married for over 30 years to Sesky Paul who is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy. They have two grown children.
Her single focus in ministry at Keswick is to image Christ in grace and truth to wounded and hurting women, encouraging them to make Jesus the truest Lover of their soul and the One in whom all hope lies.