It’s Memorial Day today, and I am enjoying the relaxing schedule with my family, today. My son and I ran in our first 5K together on Saturday. It was awesome to do that with him. We finished planting our garden this weekend, just in time for the stormy Midwest spring to usher in Summer.In reality, I am still thinking about these lessons He has taught me about finding grace and joy in my imperfections which I had the the privilege of sharing over at Soli Deo Gloria Sisterhood on Friday.
{You can read the rest of the post over at SDG, here.}
Introductions always make me pause, though if we meet you would never guess my hesitation. In many ways I have often wrestled with the identity I wear. Usually I paste on a smile and a genuine greeting finds its way to my lips, but inside I wonder what you may want me to say, or the right word that will allow me entrance into your world. It wasn’t until I met a man who bore my sin that I began to find myself.
Though I look confidant, my steps are measured with caution and my eyes are scanning, constantly, to see what I can take in before I need to speak. It isn’t a fear of knowing who I am, thankfully, He has redeemed me from that illusion. More over it is a deep desire to do everything right that keeps me behind a wall. These perfectionist tendencies make it hard for me to feel like I have made a connection, because all I see is what I should have said or could have done. My daughter nailed it the other day when she said, ” Mom, you beat yourself up way too much. Stop over-thinking everything.”
Sometimes the affirmations of our loves lead us to hear the song of joy He leads us to live within.
The Lord your God is in the midst of you. A mighty One, a Savior [Who Saves]! He will rejoice over you joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them] He will exult over you with singing. – Zephaniah 3:17
This struggle with joy-filled living goes deep in me. I see it now in my own kids and find myself fiercely battling for their overcoming victory on my knees. I remind them of the love of God, the full and sweeping power of His amazing grace, and the sweet gift of relationship bought by blood. I tell them these things often, but sometimes I forget to tell myself… the irony of this truth is not missed by these precious gifts in my mission field. They see it better than I do.
I think the fear of failure has plagued me for so long that it has actually become a welcome traveler on this journey to grace. Mainly because I am familiar with its message, but it isn’t a faithful friend to bring along friend. It took meeting the perfected love of Christ to begin to see that fear really has no hold on me.
In this love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as He is, so are we in this world There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, love and expels every trace of terror. He who is afraid has not yet grown into love’s full perfection. – 1 John 4:17-18 ( amp)
Have you ever felt that joy was unattainable because you just couldn’t get past your imperfections?
Friends, our stories are the catalyst for His perfect grace to shepherd joy to others.
When we let God lead us, He He takes our stories and refines them so that we can shepherd joy into empty hearts. He leads us in through our failures into His victory because in HIS presence is the only source of real joy that exists.
Through the valleys and over each mountain, we grasp the victory as we consistently set our sights on His will and His way. Friends, truly we must behold Him in all our journey, looking to His joy because He has His gaze is firmly set on us.
Behold, I have indelibly imprinted you on the palm of each of my hands. – Is 49:16
You can read the full post in which I shared about my fear of introductions and some of this grace journey He has led me to live out here at Soli Deo Gloria Sisterhood, last week.
I’d love to hear your thoughts about introductions, imperfections, and how God leads you to experience joy! I am giving away a Starbucks Gift Card just for the fun of it, too, so, everyone who leaves a comment is entered into the drawing. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts.
Linking up with friends for the journey.
Unite, Playdates with God, #TellHisStory, #RaRaLinkUp, Wednesday Prayer Girls
Yes, real joy is only in HIM. I can see joy in the blessings that He gives me, my children, husband, family, friends, a roof over our head, food, the list goes on…
Practicing what we preach is often easier said than done, right? I know what it is to be plagued by perfection, to feel like you’ll miss the mark just for trying. But the truth (that I preach to myself) is that grace came because we never could meet the standard on our own. Perfect is an illusion, but God is real. His grace brings courage to walk forward knowing that the process is in our hands, but the results are in His…and He never fails! Joining my heart with yours and taking Him at His word…His grace is sufficient! Blessed to be your neighbor at #tellhisstory.
in weakness is our strength
I, too, struggle with feeling the need for perfection. I know God’s grace is sufficient, and I am learning more and more to lean into that, but I still find myself trying to lean on my own understanding way more than I should. I so enjoyed this post, and I appreciate you stopping by my blog and leaving such sweet encouragement behind. 🙂 Much love and many blessings to you! Thank you for the chance to win the gift card, too!!! 🙂
Thank you. I really needed this today.
Friends, our stories are the catalyst for His perfect grace to shepherd joy to others.
What encouraging, true words. Thank you for the encouragement today.