Glenn has made a habit recently of doing late night Facebook posts. Sometimes he uses it to post pictures and update fans on what he is working on behind-the-scenes, and sometimes he uses it to vent about what is on his mind. Last night he wanted to vent. Really, really badly. But he stopped and decided to put himself in the shoes of his fans, and realized as frustrated as he gets, he has a lot more support than some people out there. He asked readers about how they get through the tough days - and there were some truly amazing responses.
"Last night about 11:00, and we had finally put the kids down to bed. Taken care of everything we needed to take care of. Straightened up the house, cleaned the dishes, finally just sat down. Tania was on the couch. I was on the couch and both of us kind of falling asleep back in forth in conversation. And I said, Tania, I just want to talk to you about some things that are just on my mind. So we had a good conversation. We went to bed. I decided to post something on Facebook. And this morning I got up and it was like 85,000 likes and I don't even know how many thousands of messages. But this is one I'm going to read all the messages, because they're unbelievable," Glenn said
"Now, if you read this, I had a change of heart at that period. Because I kind of came into it with a pity party. But I was thinking about you as I wrote this."
He wrote:
Hard day today.Feeling kind of lost.
Questioning everything. Wondering how much is real and worth it beside family. Wondering how "normal" people do it. Work all day, come home while the other parent goes back out to their second job, raise the kids, do the shopping, pay the bills, take the kids to ballet or Boy Scouts, serve in the church, be a good husband and a good dad, study for work the next day, keep up with your loved ones - family, and dear friends and still reading scriptures and praying.
I have help and assistants and my amazing wife. Who do you have? I am sure, no one. Maybe you are a single parent.
Dear Lord. How blind and foolish I have been. Who am I to complain, judge, or feel tired? I am so sorry.
I do however want to know how do you do it? I am overwhelmed. It is funny, I can do a million projects at work, but I quickly get lost when it is the most important project of all - my family.
Maybe because I know the scars it left on us as kids. Or maybe because I have older kids and so I can see the errors I made and know that I have much left to learn.
Pray for me and I will double up on my prayers for you tonight. God is great. God is love.
From Dallas. Goodnight America.
Here are some of the responses:
Pamela N Chris Jennings: Prayers, my friend. I was at the end of my road once. It was right before Christmas. Whole world in the crapper. I started walking (I live in a rural area). I walked for miles. Came to the county courthouse area. Walked into the library for no particular reason. Picked up the first book off the 'new arrivals' shelf right by the door. Was really thinking about ending it all. Didn't even care about the book, just something to take my mind off for a few minutes. I read page one & didn't stop till the end. It changed my whole perspective. It probably saved my life. A sweet tale. It was called 'The Christmas Sweater'. Thanks, Glenn. I'll never be able to repay you, but thank you.
Tania Andrews: I am a single mother of 4 (8yo, 7yo, 4yo twins), I have 2.5 jobs and we live in a one bedroom condo. I drop the four of them off at two different schools (at least 10 miles apart) before driving to my job (30 mi from the last drop off). I used to secretly pray that God would send me a champion, a rescuer, a knight in shining armor to pluck me from my situation or at least come along beside me and help relieve some of the pressure. I've been learning that Jesus has been my rescuer, champion and knight all along. He loved me going into a dysfunctional marriage, He loved me when it turned violent and I left, He loves me and my children (and even their dad) still. I wake up with God daily, even the tough days and I cling to His promises and presence CONSTANTLY.
Julie Emler Haga: At 24 I found myself suddenly abandoned with 3 small children and another on the way. I had days when I was so overwhelmed I was sure I couldn't do it for one more day, but the sun still rose, the world continued on, and I did it once again. When I was at my lowest, my father said something I will never forget:"you can have today for your pity party, but I won't attend. The Lord never throws anything at us we can't catch and throw back." So I caught, and threw it back, eventually getting my GED ( I had quit school in the 9th grade) and then on to nursing school, graduating with a 3.98 gpa, thanks to my parents and the Lord's help. I guess my point is this: when it gets hard, there's no shame in getting overwhelmed, just remember that the sun will still come up tomorrow, giving you another chance to come as close as you can to getting it right, and if you need to drop to your knees and pray for guidance, it's ok, because we all need a little help sometimes.
Cory 'n Amy Brand: I am a minister just down the road from you. I was feeling much the same emotions you described. Then I read this scripture, it was encouraging for me hope it is for you.
Galatians 6:9-10 NIV
[9] Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. [10] Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Kirsten Raye: Today the youngest of my four children went to the nurse at school, not feeling well. I was halfway to work at 0740 when I got the call to pick her up. When I asked, "Kylie....if you weren't feeling well, why did you even bother going to school today?", she responded, "I knew you had a meeting and I didn't want you to miss it, Momma". These are the invisible scars of the single parent; they ache in our heart. But I think there is something to be said of children who understand how torn we feel, and try to help in their own HUGE way. There's a balance we all find; sometimes we are in survival mode - there's no choice. But once we've overcome that storm, we get a reprieve filled with much cherished smooth sailing.
See the post below: