Thank you for joining me on this blog! I've been thinking and praying over this series for a couple of months, so I'm excited to get it out of my head and onto the blog. My own story, those of my clients, and family have all taught me these lessons and I love sharing them with you. My goal is to send a short encouragement your way if you've been struggling with any kind of secret in your life- the ones that keep us from moving on, dreaming big dreams, asking for forgiveness or letting go. We are all prone to protecting our hearts from pain, but I don't want a secret to keep you from being free. Really free. The kind that Jesus came to give us. With that in mind- here goes nothing.
Question: Do I perceive myself to be enough?
I'm starting the series with this question because believing your are enough really answers all the others. The comparison game is killing us. Maybe you as an individual don't struggle with it, maybe you do. We can center our sense of self on a myriad of mountain tops- our homes, our children and what they do or don't do to make us happy, your body image, the service that you do or don't do, an education that you do or don't have, the marriage that you do or don't have, we all have that space where we ask- am I enough? I don't believe that this is the war we were meant to spend so much time waging- that our self perception would be based on the things we can't control and leave us in a precarious lurch of always needing to be, do or say more. Its exhausting isn't it?
I believe the truth lies somewhere in between what my toddler and teenager have taught me. Grace, more grace and confidence. They are a beautiful picture of what loving yourself looks like. The toddler daughter is a spunky, smart, crazy cute little peanut with opinions as strong as my morning coffee. She'll rock a tutu with cowgirl boots and a tank top like no one's business. My teenage son, a calm, strong willed, force of the mathematical nature. They both believe they are exactly as they should be. Beautiful, strong, confident and as if they know what's up. I watch them move confidently in world and remember when I did. Before someone told me I wasn't smart enough, skinny enough or good enough, I believed that same way. But the good news is very different.
1. The voice that tells you that you aren't enough is a lie. End of story. If you believe in Jesus Christ as your savior- his life, death and Resurrection tell the truth. You are worth living and dying for. Our culture works pretty hard to tell you that if you just had or were more, you'll eventually find peace.
2. You were made for your life. NO ONE else can fill your place, your story the way you can. We all have a unique calling, passion, experience, and puzzle to put together.There is much to be learned and lived your space. Looking to live someone else's seemingly better or more important story is a life killer.
3. If you feel like you are the only one who doesn't have it all figured out, you aren't. You are just like the rest of us. We run the bases one section at a time, looking ahead to the next goal or healing journey and eventually find our way home. (I love sports) You may be running the bases or crawling right now, but you will get there.
4. Even when you don't feel it, the truth is that there is more Grace than you can imagine for your story. If you can't find it, ask someone to help you. Take a hand that has been down the same road and hold on to it. We can all take turns being strong for each other.
Truth: 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 msg
"You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally."
Here are a couple of awesome books on this:
Mom Enough: The Fearless Mother's Heart and Hope by Reinke
http://www.amazon.com/Mom-Enough-Fearless-Mothers-Heart/dp/0991277600
You'll Get Through This by Max Lucado
http://www.amazon.com/Youll-Get-Through-This-Turbulent/dp/0849948479