Embrace Who You Are

Preparing for our son’s graduation from high school next month, I lost myself in a pile of photographs over the weekend.

You probably know the kind. Those of the chubby baby years, the adorable toddler years, and yes, even the long-haired early-teen years. (The last category is not my son’s favorite, by the way.)

As I took my time flipping through them one by one, soaking in the precious memories tied to each, I was a bit startled running across one tucked in the middle of the compilation. It was of his mom. Yes, of me.

This late 20-year old mom looked tired, weary, burdened. She looked empty.

And I was.

My thoughts transported me back to that time.

No wonder I looked weary.

I poured everything I had into being a “good” mom. But in my opinion, I never really attained “good” status.

I did about anything I could to “fit in,” including trying to be anyone else but me.

If you looked the word “strive” up in the dictionary, my face might have been pictured next to it back then. With all the success I worked for and earned, I still desired for more. Striving was my way of life.

I wasn’t living life in a way that honored God. I was living it to honor me.

Thanking God again for rescuing me from that pit, I tucked the photo away.

There’s not one thing I can do about those painful younger years, except to thank God for being with me even then, and for not leaving me there. Maybe if I share my story, others who find themselves in a similar place might have hope.

Maybe that’s you, or someone you know. Maybe you’re thinking you’re not “good enough.” Or you’re trying your hardest to fit in without much success. Or you want to be anyone else but you. Maybe you’re thinking achieving the next big thing will be the key to happiness.

Friend, there’s more waiting for you. More peace. More joy. More contentment when you let all of it go, and just be you. Beautiful you.

Only when we embrace who we are, can we bloom into who God wants us to be.

When we see ourselves as His creation, His masterpieces, a freedom follows in letting go of anything that’s not of Him. You are good enough. You do fit in. No one else is like you. You are one-of-a-kind. You were created with a plan and for a purpose. True joy is found when your life and mine becomes centered on the One who created us.

And then the seed that’s been inside of us all along begins to bud and then bloom.

When God causes something to bloom, incredible beauty follows.

Allow yourself to bloom, my friend. To be all God desires for you to be.

What a beautiful masterpiece you are!

I am lifting you in prayer today.

Much love,

Julie

 

Sharing and linking up with Suzie and friends at #livefreeThursday. It’s a great day to #livefree!