A God send. Seriously, we have tried to retrace our footing, finding our way back to where it all began. Or how. We agreed to not remember, not knowing how this all began, but knowing across the sector of a few time zones, there is a sister-love praying over my being is endearing & empowering. We have no friend of a friends, no ties. We have no similar connections on social networking, & yet we found each other. Or God found us each other. & a sisterhood blossomed & I am thankful.
So, dearest ladies, take heed to the words of a woman of action.
A go-getter.
The 'does' in love.
“Jesus won’t try to speak over the noise in our lives; love whispers so we won’t be confused about who’s doing the talking.” -Bob Goff
in·ten·tion·al
[ in ténshən'l ]
● deliberate: done on purpose, not by accident
As a human race, we are confronted each and every day with conflicting definitions of who we are. Are we defined by our looks, by our career, by our past, by our income, by our friends, by our family? The list goes on and on. We are constantly seeking out the purpose we have on this planet. But what if I told you that this life is about adventure, about making friends, about finding out who you are, about learning and falling and getting back up again? What if I told you that who you are is not defined by your status, title, career, friend list, or instagram follower count? What if I told you that every day you choose who you receive your definition from?
For me, I listened to the loud shouts from the world for a long time. I constantly felt horrendous in my own skin, betrayed by my own past, and lost in my own story. I had no clue who Nicole actually was nor what her purpose was. But I learned that being intentional is beautiful. For a long time, I was wingin’ it in life. Just going with the flow, doing whatever felt right. When I met Jesus Christ, I realized that life is a joyous adventure. Full of many obstacles, many stumps, and many hills I don’t want to climb. But I learned that spending quality time with my Maker, my community, and dreaming up my own dreams for my life helped me figure out who I was made to be. It’s not always fun to maintain solid relationships when you’re tired, annoyed, or hurt. It’s not always easy to follow Jesus when you work 9-5 everyday and all you ever want to do is watch Netflix and eat nutella. And it’s not always cookie-cutter to figure out what you want to do with your life. But being intentional with these three things have helped me define myself in a healthy way and remember who God made me to be.
Below are two letters we are read every single day. I pray you have the discernment to let the true words of Christ sink in and shape your heart. I pray you will resonate with the lies and be able to crush them for good. I challenge you to be intentional with the words you seek and sources you find truth in. I challenge you to seek God and figure out the three things you need to spend quality time with in order to maintain a healthy definition of who you are. Because remember, being intentional is always beautiful.
Dear __________,
Each day, I eagerly wait for you to wake up and walk through another day of life with me. Each day, I walk around with you on this adventure you’re experiencing. Each day, I scream every so often how crazy it is for you to think YOU are beautiful. And oh, do you notice. You hear me over anything and everything that’s trying to sink down into your deepest thoughts. You feel me covering you in every moment.
Someone spent years dreaming up who they wanted you to be, and you’re still a mistake. Every hope you have, every desire, every freckle, every inch, every pound, every hiccup, every stutter, every crack in your voice - a mistake. They knew exactly how they wanted you - and they made you with their own hands. Yet somehow you still screwed it up. I find it so silly how attracted the world is to handmade things. It’s great that it’s original but… is it worth it? The mass produced is quick, it’s simple, it’s easy, it’s understood. Don’t you want to look like everyone else? So you can fit in? So you aren’t questioned? So you are known without anyone ever having to ask questions? You were made in an image but it doesn’t quite fit you. It just needs a few tweaks and it will be perfect. Some advice? Read these every day:
1. Your weight. Be healthier. Look in the mirror and repeat after me, “I am fat.”
2. Your heart. You alone bring something unique and incredible to this world and it isn’t what we need. Repeat after me, “ I am not loved.”
3. Your story. No one has experienced life the way you have. You don’t deserve anything better than what you’ve been given. Repeat after me, “I am worthless.”
4. Your Maker. He made you and completely abandoned you. While He’s got it great - you’re down here suffering. Repeat after me, “Why would my Beloved ever want me?”
Remember these each day. Find yourself in the words that I scream at you. You were a mistake from the get go. Your story has been deliberately pieced together to make a huge mess. Listen to me, you weren’t meant to be here. Go. Share your story, dance till your legs fall off, and sing at the top of your lungs. And every now and again - stop and remember the truth I tell you, “ You are fat. You are not loved. You are worthless. And your Maker could never want you.”Dear ___________,Each day, I eagerly wait for you to wake up and embrace a new day of life. Each day, I breathe life into you so you can experience this adventure to the fullest. Each day, I whisper every so often how beautiful you are. But do you notice? Do you hear me over the rustle and bustle of the earth? Do you feel my love covering you in every moment?I’ve spent years dreaming up who I wanted you to be. Every hope you have, every desire, every freckle, every inch, every pound, every hiccup, every stutter, every crack in your voice. I knew exactly how I wanted you - and I made you with my own hands. You are so beautiful. Haven’t you ever noticed how the world loves handmade things? Handmade bracelets, handmade pots, handmade coffee cups --- if only you could notice how intricately designed YOU are. You are different than anyone or anything ever created. This is what makes you desirable. People want to know about your differences. People are intrigued by you. You bring something so new to the table and that attracts people to hear your story. You have to be sought after to be understood. You have to be known to be loved. Let me tell you some things that are absolutely stunning about you:1. Your weight. Stay healthy. Look in the mirror and repeat after me, “I am beautiful.”
2. Your heart. You alone bring something unique and incredible to this world. Repeat after me, “ I am loved.”
3. Your story. No one has experienced life the way you have. You offer an incredible perspective that will allow you to relate with others. Repeat after me, “I am worth it.”
4. Your Maker. Spend time with me - I’m always with you. Confide in me, trust in me, listen to my voice whispering wonderful truths to you. Repeat after me, “I am my beloved’s and He is mine.”Remember these each day. Find yourself in the Truth of who I call you! You were made on purpose. Your story has been deliberately pieced together. Please don’t listen to the loud screams that tell you otherwise. Go. Live and be free. Share your story, dance with grace, and sing praises to your Maker. And every now and again - stop and hear the whispers saying “You are beautiful. You are loved. You are worth it. And you are mine.”
No comments:
Post a Comment