I’ve really missed you! God blessed my short blog-pause. He graciously renewed and inspired. But it’s great to be back! So consider yourself hugged.
My 7-year old daughter said the sweetest thing to me last week. She saw me making a list of names and asked what I was doing. I told her that these were some women that I wanted to meet at the bloggers conference I was going to be attending. (Yes, there is such a thing as a bloggers conference. Strange, huh?)
She sat for a minute, thinking, and then she said, “Mommy, I bet there are lots of people who want to meet you.” Ouch. With those words she touched something tender in me.
Yes, I teared up because of her innocent mommy-admiration. She made me feel like a rockstar. But there was something else lying beneath. It was doubt. Doubt. Deep down I questioned whether people would want to meet me. I doubted my own “beauty” as a woman.
Over the next few days, God graciously lifted my spirit. It was as if He took my face in His hands and pointed my gaze back to His, saying…
Baby girl, look at Me.
Me.
I made you.
I know you perfectly.
I’ve always got my eyes upon you.
I created you unique.
Don’t try to be like everyone else.
Be you. The you I designed.
The you that likes rap music and sometimes trips over invisible rocks.
Embrace your differences.
Walk sure in your calling.
You are loved, accepted, and beautiful.
I needed to hear that. And maybe you do too.
We will never measure up to the perfection we imagine in others. When we spend our time comparing and clamoring for validity from other fallen people, we will doubt. It’s in those moments we need to actively remember what He says to us and about us as His children. And graciously, He’s written an entire book about it.
It’s HIS love and affirmation that our souls desperately crave.
Fill me, Lord…
How have you struggled with walking confident in whom God has declared you to be?
What verses encourage you?
“We will never measure up to the perfection we imagine in others.” – true enough girl!
Words can’t describe what a blessing it was just to be with you. Did my heart so good!
You are a gift friend!
It was so great to meet you and room with you! And you were right, it felt like we had been friends forever. Love you, sweet sister.
So glad to see you back! For the record, if I’d been able to go to the conference, I would have wanted to meet you. 🙂 Thank you for your encouraging words today.
You are so sweet, Marleah. I would have wanted to meet you too. 🙂
Oh friend, I needed to hear this this morning. Sometimes those words are hard to accept and believe for me. Your sabbatical is ended and mine beginning. My prayer for this time off is that I would truly find my identity in Christ. For Him to show me what His thoughts are of me and that my heart and mind would believe them. Thank you for this.
I’ll be praying for you, friend. You are such a treasure. And I’m not just saying that. I mean it fully and completely. Hope we can find time to get together again. I’d love to have another lingering conversation over lunch. xoxo
This seems to be a sacred echo I am reading in loads of blogs, this struggling with self-doubt and measuring up to the “perfection we imagine in others.” Reveals that we are not alone, no matter how together we think everyone else looks on the outside.
You are so right, Shelly. We aren’t alone. In fact, I think we are more the same than different — except for the rap thing. That might catagorize us. 😉 Blessings to you.
Going through a mini-trial of sorts this week, and am grateful for these words today. Thank you, Lara!
If I had been able to go to the conference, I would have wanted to meet you. 🙂
Praying God’s wisdom and comfort over you this week, Jamie. And I would have wanted to meet you too. 🙂
When those lies creep in and you reveal them here I am always mystified…Lara…no not Lara. Lara Gibson? You are so beautiful, your heart belongs to the King, you are his bride…daughter of the King, a saint…an heir…of everything of His. I love you sister, seeing you this summer was such a rich blessing I continue to be grateful for…fearfully and wonderfully made. As simple as those words are that we teach our youngest…still echoes in my mind fearfully and wonderfully made, and created in His image. What?! His image. Yes…sister His image.
God’s Best,Jolene
You are so sweet, Jolene. Wishing we lived closer to one another! xoxo
Welcome back and truly a blessing out of the mouths of babes…Have a great day
Thanks. You too!
I am one of those people who wanted to meet YOU! But never got the nerve to say “hi!” Soooo from the safety of my office.
Hi. My name is Carey. I live in Phoenix, Arizona. 🙂
You first line “Baby girl, look at Me” had me at Hello.
Thank you for your ministry. With Joy, Carey
Aww, Carey! You totally should have said hello. Maybe next conference. 😉 Blessings to you, sweet sister.
Such a pleasure to meet you finally, Lara! Hey, so you like rap music?? Oh my. You have no idea. Ha! I listen to hip hop sometimes, really loudly. There’s nothin’ like it. And you would never guess, right? It’s interesting. You’re a quieter person than I imagined. But without you even saying something, I can almost read lots of soul activity inside. Thank YOU for seeking me out. Lots more to come my friend!
I just can’t see it, Johanna. You jammin’ to the hip hop. Who would have thought. 😉 And yes, I enter new social scenes a bit quietly. I like to take things in. Looking forward to what He has ahead for us and OneVerse!
I imagined the perfection everywhere. It is such a struggle for me. I vacillated between insecurity and boldness, faith and doubt, confidence and weakness at Relevant. He is teaching me, guiding me, to see myself as He does. Beautiful post. And don’t our children just have the words of God so often??
Her words hit me deep down. He’s teaching me too. I think I may always have to actively choose to believe what He says over me. It was great seeing you this weekend, friend. I hope it happens again soon. xoxo
Your daughter is right, you are a true blessing to know! I’ve missed seeing you…
Beth Jones
Oh my word! This was written just for me today! Thank you! My verse to help me remember is Deuteronomy 10:15. He set His affection on me. Wow. Makes my spine tingle and my heart smile every time.
Oh, my! How you captured all of our hearts where we feel small and insignificant, and yet….He loves me FIRST. My striving and proving is unnecessary. Thank you for this beautiful reminder.