It’s been a reflective day. I’m looking at some uncomfortable places I’ve landed in because I didn’t value me enough to set boundaries or define expectations. We can’t discount ourselves to make others comfortable with themselves. We can’t dull our light because others are blinded by the shine. We can’t be less when God has created us to be more!
The truth is that others are valuable too but they don’t always know it, so they discount you to make themselves feel better. Others can shine. They just spend too much time trying to put out the light in people to recognize the light in themselves, and that’s just sad. There’s enough light for all of us to shine in our own special way.
God created all of us for greatness. Don’t apologize for walking in it when others have chosen not to! And don’t let anyone make you feel bad about embracing who you are in Christ!
I am thankful for the wisdom that comes with age and experience. It’s not automatic but the result of living life, making mistakes, and growing from them that births wisdom, or is should.
While it’s taken me a long time to learn this particular lesson, be where you are celebrated and not tolerated, I think I finally get it. While I’ve said this before I don’t think I fully got it or appreciated its impact. We must listen to people’s actions quicker than their words. Sometimes they don’t always align. It’s my experience that when that happens it’s the actions that truly reflect the heart.
This does not mean if someone does something unexpected, or wrong, or hurtful that you kick them to the curb. What it does mean is, be watchful. If their actions are consistent then that’s who they really are and how they really feel about you. When we know the truth, we can act on it. We can’t try to make something, or someone, something that they are not.
I tend to give people lots of chances and the result has been painful too many times. As I continue to grow the chances will be fewer and letting go will be quicker. Instead, I’ll go with what Maya Angelou said, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them, the first time!” And yes, we must be loving and extend grace. Sometimes we must do it from a distance. We must love ourselves and apply grace to us also. We are not expendable.
I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me from this day forward. I’m excited and I have great expectations. I am running and embracing my new season. I know my comfort zone is going to be invaded big time! LOL!
"There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1 AMPC)
Stay tuned, because God isn't finished with me yet!
Be Encouraged! ❤
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