Do you know why I write books and blogs? I want you to find encouragement for your heart and I want these words and paragraphs to feel like a friend that breathes new life into you. I want you to discover God on a new level and feel His presence and love, His mercy and forgiveness.
And just as important, I want you to develop a better relationship with yourself. Because when you are kinder to yourself, all the relationships around you benefit. I believe that is why one of God’s commands for us is to love your neighbor as you love yourself.
Learning to balance where you are in life with grace and a heart for God is a precious thing. It’s an ongoing process and a most worthy goal!
Words of Affirmation
I want the words I write and share to be an encouragement to your heart. My prayer is that you find life and hope in what I share, taking from my scenarios and applying them to your own. After all, isn’t that important to do with any and all of life’s lessons? Search out the good and see how it applies to areas in your life?
I find that I do this with books and movies, real life events and situations – I tend to evaluate what’s happening and pick up any pearls I can along the way. For instance, in watching a movie a few weeks back, the actor commented that defeat was only another word for opportunity. That fresh take on something that would otherwise have been discouraging spoke to me! I love new ideas on how to reframe real life situations!
Another time, I went to a party and sat back and watched the lovely celebration. Though tasteful, it was fun and exciting, energetic and inviting! I couldn’t help but admire the way folks gathered around to dance and celebrate together, where I may sat back, uncertain on how to participate. But instead, the family that was hosting the party gracefully invited everyone to be part of the fun, adding to the delight of the afternoon! Moments like that make me want to shake my inclination for shyness to in turn learn how to be the one inviting others to join in and enjoy themselves all the more!
Loving Yourself and Others Well
Another goal of my writing is to help us discover how to love ourselves and others better. It’s interesting, the last few months and maybe even last few years, I feel like my relationship with myself has improved. It’s funny to say, but I feel like I have discovered my own unique personality and opinions and I’ve blossomed more into who I want to become. And somehow, having stepped better into myself has seemed to help me love others better. Get along better, encourage more specifically and serve in more meaningful ways. It’s a special culmination of events.
But then earlier this year, following the accident has presented new challenges. I’ve had to really work to be at peace with needing so much help physically, being temporarily unable to be as independent as I’m used to being has been a special challenge. I’ve asked God to help me be graceful and have a soft heart, patiently making the most of where He currently has me. And this prayer hasn’t been meant selfishly, but rather because I know that the way I love myself effects the way I love others! If I can’t be gracious and patient with myself, how will I respond towards others? Not to mention, being cruel towards myself doesn’t honor God well!
And that’s something I want to encourage you to consider – how you see yourself largely dictates how you treat yourself and others. Be kind and compassionate, keep the bar high while also showing grace. This isn’t about perfection, but rather about having a heart perfect towards God, and remembering that how you treat yourself and others is a representation of the relationship you have with Him.
Encouragement for Your Heart
Another bit of encouragement for your heart – we may have this picture perfect idea of how we think life will go once we accomplish some aspirational thing. But the truth of the matter is that life has highs and lows, ups and downs, it rambles along in some quite unexpected ways. If instead of waiting for some elusive moment to bring us peace and happiness, we instead attach our joy and enthusiasm to God, we will find a happiness and peace beyond our wildest expectations!
When we make God our focus, what once may have held us back is no longer of concern. Though highs and lows may dance around us, we can learn, one imperfect moment by moment, to release our unrealistic expectations and step more confidently into the life God has uniquely designed for us.
Surrender and a soft heart will take us so much further than any amount of accomplished to-do lists. Definitely develop plans and goals for your life, but surrender them to God and hold them loosely as He guides you in His perfect, mysterious way. Show yourself grace and kindness, even forgiveness when things don’t go as expected. Remember God is ultimately in control and knows exactly where He has you!
Until Next Time!
Hope.