Shame has been a mother tongue because I was taught to be ashamed—ashamed of my body, my size, the fullness of my nose, the width of my hips, the gap in my teeth, the volume of my laughter, the chocolate brown of my skin, and the depths of my joy. But those very things I used to hate, those very parts of me I used to loathe, have become the parts I love the most.
Faith allowed you to ask. Work and action allowed you to have, to be, to do. Do, be, and have all you’ve ever dared ask Me for!
When I listen, God speaks to my innermost being, to my interstitial spaces. When I obey and act by faith, God moves big and bold on my behalf.
How amazing it is that even as I sleep, God is restoring my body, renewing my mind, and whispering divine truths to my soul! Lord, teach me to trust You more deeply, more fully, more widely. Help me to rest in the peace of Your presence and to embrace the lessons You weave into my life, whether they come through moments of clarity or quiet reflection or loud clangs of cymbals.
It wasn’t until I got home and watched the time-lapse video that it hit me—much to my surprise, I was far more skeptical about doing new things than I had ever realized. Baby, I straight stared at these people while questioning my own ability to do something I hadn’t done before… Because I hadn’t done it before! I stood there, watching, unmoved.
Much like if someone were to write me a check for $1,000,000, if I never went to the bank to cash or deposit it, the gift is no good!
What I do with ALL God gives me is up to me! It’s up to me how I steward my time, my energy, my resources. So while I surrender ALL, I also need to accept ALL in return, too!
“Your will and mine be one,” I prayed! I didn’t know what I was praying for exactly, but I knew it’d be good. And yet again, here you are doing exceedingly and abundantly!”
You don’t know the way, but you know the way, because I do! Continue to trust me and let Me lead you, even when, especially when!, you’re unclear or unsure.
Be still and know that I am God!
It begins with be. Be still. Be seen. Be known. Be bright. Be bold. Be Loved. Be loving. BE.
The very thing that they said they would never do is actually the best thing that could happen to them. Have you ever wondered why it is that the things you said you would never do are the best things that have happened to you?
The more I realize how very big You are, the smaller I know I am. How small my requests, hopes, and dreams are to an infinite, unending, abundant God!
