‘Cause that girl is in the strongest storm of her life.
When I found out that Michael Hyatt, President and CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers, would be offering 200 bloggers the chance to review Lynne Spears’ new book Through The Storm, I instantly jumped on the chance.
Now, I can guess what you’re thinking: why in the world would I want to read a book written by a woman most widely known as Britney Spears’ mom? My answer may surprise you: I wanted to read this book since, at least in my mind, Britney and I are in the same line of work.
You see, a major part of my job is working to create culture that influences girls’ lives. Whether you’ve recognized it before or not, that’s a big part of Britney’s job as well. I, through Starlite’s programs in public schools, attempt to tell girls what should be important to them. Britney does the same, simply sending her message through a different medium and to a much larger audience. We certainly don’t send the same message out, but it’s undeniable that we’re both in the same field.
I have a vested interest in what Britney does and says since she’s attempting to reach the same girls I am, after all. In my personal and professional opinion, there is no other solitary musician that has had a greater impact on pre-teen and teenage girls’ lives over the last decade than Britney. Like her or not, there’s no avoiding the influence she carries.
Naturally, I was curious about her mama.
I expected the book to be filled with excuses from Lynne about the choices that members of her family have made (remember, father Jamie has been widely reported — as well as confirmed in this book — as having an alcohol problem that has spanned decades as well as daughter Jamie Lynn’s recent experience as a very young unwed mother). In my opinion, Lynne didn’t do that. She owned up to the wrong decisions she had made while wisely realizing that she can’t take the blame for other grown adults’ decisions.
While a lot of her experiences might not apply to the general public (I mean, how many of you have a daughter who has paparazzi waiting outside your house right now? Anyone?), there were several sections of the book that parents can learn from even though the book was never meant to be a parenting book. Unfortunately, most of those lessons are of the hindsight variety — I’m sure Lynne, like most parents, has quite the list of things she wishes she had done differently.
My favorite part of the book was some advice that didn’t even come from Lynne, if you want to know the truth. She wrote about how their family had been going to counseling with a local pastor:
“We only went a few times — nobody except me really appreciated what the pastor was saying — but he did point out something profound. ‘If this young lady [Britney] and her daddy don’t resolve their issues, and he doesn’t try harder to establish a good, strong relationship with her, she will end up clinging to the first real romance in her life. That man will be of extreme importance in her life, and that relationship will determine the course of all her relationships with men from then on.’”
If only they had known how true that pastor’s words would be in the future.
Reading this book only deepened my burden to pray for Britney. I’ve got a couple of good friends who could tell you that I was nearly physically ill when I watched the live footage of Britney shaving her head as well as her subsequent hospitalizations. I’m academically and professionally trained to know when behaviors are getting to the point where someone’s life is in danger and I couldn’t help but feel like I was watching a broken little girl crying out for help. I was truly afraid that I would wake up one morning to find out that Britney had taken her own life, accidental or not.
I can’t help but wonder what would happen in Britney’s life if there were people on their knees for her each and every day? What if we took the time we currently spend talking about what a mess we think her life is and instead use that time to beg God to draw her heart to His?
Surely if He came to find that one lost sheep, He’s still waiting for Britney.
Posted: October 20th, 2008 under Uncategorized.
Comments: 8
Comments
Comment from Brittany
Time: October 20, 2008, 7:37 pm
So many times I justify myself, saying “It’s not gossip, I’m not spreading lies, It’s not going to hurt anyone”. Thank you for showing me that I may not be hurting directly, but I could be helping in a very big, real way. Wether it is a celebrity or a friend. You’re an amazing lady, Miss Amy Beth.
Comment from Shara
Time: October 20, 2008, 8:23 pm
Thank you for this post. I have considered getting this book but I wondered if it would be worth it or not. I appreciate your honest opionion, and you have encouraged me to watch what I speak about her.
Comment from Beth P
Time: October 20, 2008, 8:43 pm
wow! LOVE that quote!!! HUGE! just huge!
Comment from Lisa @ put-it-on-the-list
Time: October 21, 2008, 3:41 am
I too have been saddened by the turn Britney’s life has taken, and alarmed when she shaved her head. I’ve prayed for her to find her way back to family and to faith (and it seems that her family ties, at least, are growing stronger).
She’s kind of a microcosm for everything that’s wrong in Hollywood, really. When I pray for her, it’s as much for everything that’s broken in how we relate, in how we perceive others (“Did Brit gain 5lb this week?!”) and other nonsense. This poor child grew up in the spotlight and simply made the mistake of not keeping the right people around her: those who loved her unconditionally. She lost sight of that, and frankly, there but for the grace of God go I.
You think, with millions of people out there watching the arc of her career, there would be people praying for her. Maybe. Maybe not. I know her mom does, because I’m a mom. Nothing begs for prayer like a child out of your sight and out of control.
As on so many other occasions, great post, Amy Beth.
Comment from Kelley
Time: October 21, 2008, 8:25 am
You are one smart cookie, Amy Beth. : )
Comment from Christine
Time: October 21, 2008, 3:58 pm
You have no idea how far reaching what you’ve written.
“I can’t help but wonder what would happen in Britney’s life if there were people on their knees for her each and every day?”
I could exchange Britney’s name for my sister-in-law, who nearly killed herself this weekend in motorcycle crash. She’s got months of therapy and rehab in front of her to heal from her injuries. A super-fast motorcycle was just one more in a long, long string of stupid decisions she’s made in her life. With no sign that the decision making skills will improve anytime soon. You name the issue, she’s dealt with it. Hubs and I felt it was just a matter of time before we got the phone call we ended up getting Saturday night, that she’d been in a horrific accident. Praise God she’s still alive and with lots of therapy she’ll live a normal life again.
It’s frustrating having someone in your life who seems hell-bent on living a destructive life. Finding compassion for her has been a real challenge for me these last few days, and I feel awful about that. I know that’s not what God wants from me. Yesterday, the Bible study I got sidetracked from over the weekend was on the story of Ruth, about sacrificing for your in laws, and making “your people my people” (which we had read at our wedding for crying out loud!). And your post today, about how people in that place need prayer as much as they need anything. It’s obvious God’s trying to get my attention…
Comment from Jennifer
Time: October 21, 2008, 10:33 pm
I love Britney. I was nice to read from someone else who feels similar to me. I agree that she is a huge role model for young girls, while at the same time being a young girl herself. I am so happy to see how she has positively turned her life around. Reconnecting with her family is the best thing she could have done. Thank you for sharing.
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Comment from trs
Time: October 20, 2008, 7:06 pm
That is a beautiful post Amy Beth. You have an amazing heart.
I want to point out though, that the quote from the pastor is applicable to ALL dads with daughters. It would be a huge blessing if you could incorporate that message to the parents of kids in your Starlite program.
Not that you don’t already have enough to do.