It is a calm Saturday morning here, which is highly unusual. We typically have one activity after the next to attend. Since four children fill our home, two being high school age someone usually needs to be somewhere. We recently moved and have been going at a non stop pace with school starting and all that goes with that.

I felt so led to slow down this weekend, even though it is a holiday weekend. I felt it was time to stop running here and there. We have declined several invitations to gather with others, which has been hard to say no, but I felt in my heart it was time to stop and spend time with God. In truth, I have been running from what God has put on my heart to do, so I have sat down to write! I haven’t written in my blog in months. I have made one excuse after another, I’m too busy, I need to do the laundry, I’ll do it later today. I have let months of later todays slip by.

Confession: I have been afraid to write, afraid to step out there.  I have let the life excuses be a cover excuse for my real problem-fear. Perfectionism, people pleasing and fear are huge stumbling blocks in my personality.  I have not shared on social media due to fears of imperfection and what others think. The fear of what others think has been paralyzing.  That fear had become a god I was slave to.  Totally opposite of what I want in my life. I desire to serve God, but I have been disobedient in the calling God has put on my life. One truly cannot serve two masters as Scripture says. I feel that’s exactly what I have been trying to do and it has not been going well.
While I was stuck in fear, God has been so kind and gracious to me, sending many encouraging people and messages along the way, not giving up on me.   I am so thankful for these amazing people! They have continually encouraged me to be real and share what God has done.
My heart is filled with joy from the loving and beautiful things God has done in my life, and the daily glimpses I have of Him. It is stated in Scripture we are to tell of these and share what Christ is doing in our lives. I have to confess, due to worldly fears I have have hidden my “light under a bushel” as the “This Little Light of Mine” song tells us not to do! I even sing this song to my little girls often. Yet still have chosen not to shine for Christ. I have felt like Jonah, running instead of doing what God says. I am so thankful God knows my brokenness and all my imperfections and still loves me with the deepest everlasting love!
I was reading on Facebook, and I am not sure exactly who said it, but it went something like this – I am not bad. I am not good. I am Forgiven.- This spoke volumes to me. I have been afraid to post because I know how many sins I commit everyday.  Thoughts filled my head that I was not worthy to write anything about God because I am constantly stumbling.  Now I will write from the mindset of I mess up everyday, but I am forgiven and loved. So no matter how many typos I have or grammatical errors I make, or when I just flat out fail, I am ok and better than that, still loved. I am loved by the God of the Universe! I don’t know if you struggle with this or not, but I want to share the message today that you are always 100% loved and cherished by God. Whether or not we are believing this truth, it is always the truth. We are always loved. He already knows all the mistakes we have made or will make and He sent Jesus to cover it all, and we are now clothed in the perfect righteousness of Christ.
I am finally stepping out in faith and posting again. Eyes on God, believing in my heart today I am loved by him no matter all the voices telling me I am not. It feels great to share the truth of God! His love never ends for you or me! Be encouraged, God has a special plan and purpose for you, and he wants you to share his love with others too. I pray you take a moment this weekend and soak in the love poured out for you in Christ and receive strength from the truth of love.

Ask God: is there any place in life you are running the opposite direction of where  God has called you?

Ask God: to fill you to overflowing with his love

 

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20

Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky, as you hold firmly to the word of life.  Philippians 2:15b-16a