Day 2 of Gratitude
What is one thing you love about yourself?
Talking about myself has always been difficult for me. I don't mean that in a "Oh, I'm soooo humble, I can't imagine talking about myself!" kind of way. I'm not trying to boast, here. I'm meaning that Jesus has been with me on a journey of discovering who I am, and how to love myself the same way that He loves me.
I mean that it's taken me years to fully grasp and appreciate Psalm 139:13: He knit me together and knows my innermost being! He handcrafted me according to His design. I am who I am because of who He is. I've had my fair share of self-esteem struggles.
Even in the midst of that, He has proven Himself as nothing but love. His is the embodiment of love, and has given me a heart of compassion and mercy for others.
I love that He's given me a heart of compassion and mercy. It's allowed me to talk to certain people and get to know cashiers in grocery lines. It's allowed me to bond with a mom and a precious daughter in Bath and Body Works.
I love that He's still working on my heart to give me more compassion and mercy. I'm learning to walk in that. I'm learning to exhale love and move in grace. He's teaching me to stop for the one: to love the one in front of me.
He is teaching me to be more concerned about His plans rather than my own, or even the thoughts of other people. I am learning that He qualifies me for all the things I think I'm not qualified for. (Who would've thought I'd be a ministry assistant to such a vibrant kid's ministry??)
A quote from Christine Caine comes to mind.
"If we allow other people to tell us what we are and are not qualified to do, we will limit what God wants to do with us. We may never get to those who need our help."
-Undaunted by Christine Caine.
Friends, we are called to be bold. The Father is beckoning us deeper into His arms, and ushering us to reach out to others.As we approach the holiday season, may we tune into His very heartbeat!
Between the Shadow and the Soul: Blogging through the journey.