Do you ever hop into bed at night and think to yourself "I'm doing a terrible job at everything"? Well, I do. Pretty much every night. I always struggle between two planes of "I'm not doing nearly enough, I need to take on more" and "I'm doing way too much, I seriously can't take on one more thing". Why do we do this to ourselves?! This "perfect" and "for every woman" lifestyle that we all think is out there doesn't exist! Those perfect and pretty moms who are literally holding a baby in one hand and a dumbbell in another, or that student who somehow manages to look like a goddess every morning while leading a study group and a Christian book club, or for me, that photographer who has her whole life together, is booked for the next 478 weekends, who has a perfect Instagram, perfectly wanded hair at all times, and somehow balances being a wife, business owner and still has the time to go to the gym. Like, is that even real?! What are YOU drinking every morning? Cause my cup of Einsteins butter toffee black coffee ain't cutting it anymore!
For some reason, we look at all of the powerful lives around us, and think to ourselves that everyone EXCEPT us is nailing it. Like, we need to hop on the success train or something. Well, slowly but surely I am realizing that no one really is killing it. Seriously! No one. We have the opportunity to literally see maybe .05% of the "real" in peoples' lives. Especially the people we are drooling over! We get to see the perfect relationship pictures, the homemade apple pie with that stupid criss cross crust that turns into ash every time I try to make it, and utter success in the mom/business/everything world. Side note: can I tell you that Seth LOATHES taking photos with me? With anyone? In life in general? I'm a photographer. How this is going to work? No clue. We're getting there (at least thats what I continue to whisper to myself every time I get the stink eye for whipping out my camera). Either way, any "cute" picture of us you see usually involves a little bit of struggle before hand. So, next time you see one, really take it in. Either way, this is why GRACE is what it's all about! We weren't intended to have it all together, so why are we constantly disappointed in ourselves when we don't?
We need to stop selling ourselves short. We need to give ourselves a lot more credit! I'm finishing up school, I am a photographer who constantly deals with client emails, editing, and problem solving, I am a designer, a consultant for a skin company, an artist, a blogger, I am in a committed long distance relationship, I am a sister to 6, a friend to many, a mentor to few, and on top of that have to maintain an abundant relationship with Jesus Christ, and I'm finding myself disappointed at the end of the day?! No more. Please, no more. We have to stop looking at everyone else, and start praising ourselves. We are hard working, care taking, godly women who deserve to know our worth. We seriously cannot do it all, and we have to stop believing we can. No one can! We need help, and it's all around us. The best thing that we can do for ourselves as well as for others is to be real. Real with who we are while we're looking in the mirror, and real with who we are while engaging with others. Be a safe place for others to accept the crazy, instead of having everyone (including ourselves) think that we have to (as if it's even possible) have it all together.
I'm over being disappointed. What about you?
J
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
All About Grace
I remember when I first decided to follow the Lord. I always sort of catch a side eye from fellow believers because I can't quite mark the exact day, time, location, what I was wearing, or what color hair tie I was using at the time I accepted Jesus into my heart. All I knew was that it MUST have happened at some point, due to the fact that I rang the bell (a congratulatory symbol of asking Jesus into your heart at Kanakuk Camp) at least 30 times. For me, I prayed the prayer (probably one too many times), I was baptized, but it was more of a process for me. More of a learning and growing experience rather than me waking up feeling saved and living life like a "Christian".
I think nowadays, it's really easy to want to judge or come to our own conclusion on whether or not someone is ACTUALLY a believer. I hear sayings such as "Well, he says he is a believer...but... you know." or "She is a Christian, but not an actual like, deep Christian." or even "I mean, she is just spiritually immature so, I think she is one of "those" Christians that SAY they're a Christian but..." All of which I have been guilty of myself in some way shape or form. My point is, what do these even mean? Why does someone have to fit a certain bill in order to pass as a good enough believer to the point where there are no if, ands, or buts when they confess Jesus is Lord of their life?
Think back to the time when YOU first asked Jesus to be the ruler of your heart. Was it really an overnight change? If so, that's awesome! Yet for the other 99.9% of people who need to put in the work in order to see ounces of change at once, where is our grace? In all honesty, I'm sure I ruined many opportunities to plant seeds when I first became a believer, even turned people away! However, I was learning. I still lied, if I didn't cuss out loud, I did in my head, I said things that I absolutely regret, I was judgmental, gossipy, impure, and everything that would constitute as NOT a "real" Christian to most people's standards.
We need grace. People need grace. I STILL need grace. We always will. Christianity is not about whether or not someone cusses, or tells inappropriate jokes, or has not very well thought out tattoos, or purple colored hair, or dare I address bigger issues in the Christian community like adultery, theft, or sexual immorality! Since when are these "offenses" powerful enough to completely steal away ones faith? It is all the same to Him. Yes, we must look at the fruit, and fruit can speak volumes. However, do not look at one apple and assume the entire tree is bad. As a matter of fact, stop examining and judging all together! We must leave that up to the Lord. People grow, and the Lord reveals certain things to His beloved children in His own timing. Not ours.
Our jobs are to love. Love hopes and trusts in all things! Love doesn't take something that someone said, and examine every possible reason why it may or may not be true, and to what extent. Love conquers all, and with love comes grace. Grace is what it is all about. If we can begin to look at people like Jesus looks at them, this judgmental, gossipy and quick-to-assumption world would be entirely different. Lets come alongside of each other and remember that we all as a body of Christ are flawed, and saved only by HIS grace alone. This will change everything.
I think nowadays, it's really easy to want to judge or come to our own conclusion on whether or not someone is ACTUALLY a believer. I hear sayings such as "Well, he says he is a believer...but... you know." or "She is a Christian, but not an actual like, deep Christian." or even "I mean, she is just spiritually immature so, I think she is one of "those" Christians that SAY they're a Christian but..." All of which I have been guilty of myself in some way shape or form. My point is, what do these even mean? Why does someone have to fit a certain bill in order to pass as a good enough believer to the point where there are no if, ands, or buts when they confess Jesus is Lord of their life?
Think back to the time when YOU first asked Jesus to be the ruler of your heart. Was it really an overnight change? If so, that's awesome! Yet for the other 99.9% of people who need to put in the work in order to see ounces of change at once, where is our grace? In all honesty, I'm sure I ruined many opportunities to plant seeds when I first became a believer, even turned people away! However, I was learning. I still lied, if I didn't cuss out loud, I did in my head, I said things that I absolutely regret, I was judgmental, gossipy, impure, and everything that would constitute as NOT a "real" Christian to most people's standards.
We need grace. People need grace. I STILL need grace. We always will. Christianity is not about whether or not someone cusses, or tells inappropriate jokes, or has not very well thought out tattoos, or purple colored hair, or dare I address bigger issues in the Christian community like adultery, theft, or sexual immorality! Since when are these "offenses" powerful enough to completely steal away ones faith? It is all the same to Him. Yes, we must look at the fruit, and fruit can speak volumes. However, do not look at one apple and assume the entire tree is bad. As a matter of fact, stop examining and judging all together! We must leave that up to the Lord. People grow, and the Lord reveals certain things to His beloved children in His own timing. Not ours.
Our jobs are to love. Love hopes and trusts in all things! Love doesn't take something that someone said, and examine every possible reason why it may or may not be true, and to what extent. Love conquers all, and with love comes grace. Grace is what it is all about. If we can begin to look at people like Jesus looks at them, this judgmental, gossipy and quick-to-assumption world would be entirely different. Lets come alongside of each other and remember that we all as a body of Christ are flawed, and saved only by HIS grace alone. This will change everything.
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