she, in the making

In these past few weeks, my spare moments have been filled with so much life-giving time, surrounded by women of Christ of different ages, from different backgrounds, each with particular gifts and crafts, each with their own unique stories to tell. 

In these times I've been able to hear heart aching moments of uncertainty, hurt, and confusion, and sweet moments of peace, joy, healing, and redemption. One thing that seemed to be consistent despite whatever the circumstances placed upon these women, was a woman who was at one point in life left feeling unworthy. Unwanted. Not good enough. 

I feel that so many women struggle with not feeling worthy, with feeling alone, with comparison. Much of it is probably engrained in us from what we see in the media, in society, in the lies we don't even realize we begin believing. But so much of it is also pressured upon us. From loved ones, from ones who tell us or give us the feeling that we aren't good enough. That we should be more like x, y, or z. Not even due to a flaw in our character, but a flaw on our faces, in our weight, in our art, in our personality.  From circumstances that leave us feeling used, mistreated, abused, alone. That who we are isn't enough. And though at times we may tell ourselves this simply isn't true, time and time again we find ourselves at the same point. Possibly a different day, a different offender, or a different person we place upon that pristine pedestal to compare ourselves to. And we find ourselves at that same point asking "Why can't I be more...?"

Why can't I be more like ___________?
Why can't I be more beautiful? Funny? Artistic? Talented?
Why can't I be more?

Well today ladies, I want to break the clouds of confusion and shed some light, the truth, on you. 

God created us with amazing plans for each of us in mind. Specific to each of us. To fill the heart of each of us. He has crafted each of us with immense care, attention and detail. No one knows more of the endless intricacies which beautifully weave together create you, than He. In His love and grace there's no room for envy or doubt, but for peace, faith, and joy. Lean into His truths and have faith that He crafted you perfectly (meaning just as HE intended), with a God sized purpose for your life in mind. He loves and cares for you so immensely and there isn't a force above, below, or on this earth that can make this any less true so you might as well get to believing it! If we really believe this, the opinions of those around us or the seeds of doubt that begin to toy with our minds really wouldn't have vacant space to establish roots. 

There are so many amazing things to do in this lifetime. People to see, meet and love on. Places to visit, that grow you, that you may one day call home. Please, please don't waste your time living with misconstrued beliefs that someone who obviously doesn't even know you that well placed upon you. And even worse, don't live with the self doubt and uncertainty that you've allowed to grow and fester within you. If you allow yourself to believe the way He sees you is the only way which truly counts then you will be free to live freely. You will be able to meet people, SO MANY PEOPLE, who inspire you, encourage you, and push you and will be able to thank God for the new relationships He's allowed you to foster, rather than wondering why another person to be envious of has traveled across your path. You will be able to relish in life's little joys and find beauty in fingerprints, in the shapes of clouds, and an entire slew of other things that may make you feel undeniably cheesy--- but the best part is, YOU WON'T EVEN CARE! You will be able to laugh that once deemed "obnoxious" laugh, to cry that once named "ugly" cry, to dance that once labeled "awkward" dance. You will be able to create art that might not be what everyone else thinks is cool, but that matters to YOU. 

You will be able to enjoy a life that truly has your name written all over it, but even better, one that has God's hands all up in it!

Though we are each given a limited, unidentified amount of time on this earth, believing that we have to be more of anything than who God created us to be does nothing but cut away from the time given to us to be more of OURSELVES. Which is truly when we are able to be the happiest us, when we are living and enjoying life authentically. When we are honoring God by embracing, loving, and being all of who He has called us to be. We will be able to touch the hearts of the very people God has called us to with our individual stories. To leave the impact He specifically, intricately, and purposefully designed each of us to do.

3 I’m speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it’s important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.

4-6 In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we’re talking about is Christ’s body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn’t amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t.        

- Romans 12:3-6