{my graphics are free goodies for you}
I’m sitting at a table full of women one evening and we’re talking about how noisy and stressful this time of year can be, how the expectations and busyness can make us feel like we’re continually falling short. Someone says, “A friend once told me that God’s voice is always kind. So if what I’m hearing in my heart or mind isn’t kind then it’s not from God.”
These words follow me out the door that night like a line of loyal ducklings. When I wake up the next morning they are still there waiting to be considered. It seems so obvious but I’ve not thought of it quite this way before. I reflect on the internal accusations and expectations I sometimes hear.
“You need to do more.”
“You have to make everything perfect.”
“You should please everyone.”
These mandates might push me to be outwardly compliant but the tone is always one of harshness and criticism. When I hear such things I feel guilt and shame.
We will all have times in our journey when we find ourselves broken and feeling unworthy. In those moments we can hide. We can let guilt and shame tell us we no longer have a place in God’s family. Or we can come to the table and take as many helpings of mercy as we need. We can pour grace over it all like gravy. We can say to God, “Thank You for loving me as I am and loving me enough to not let me stay that way. Amen.”
This Thanksgiving I feel grateful for grace, for second chances, for a God who loves me even in my brokenness, who calls me His beloved daughter.
What’s one thing you’re grateful for this Thanksgiving?
XOXO
Holley Gerth
*****
This post is part of a series based on my exclusive, limited-time only ebook, Hope for the Holidays. You’ll get it free when you order Hope Your Heart Needs: 52 Encouraging Reminders of How God Cares for You, a little devotional that’s big on encouragement and perfect for Christmas gifts. Get all the details about the free ebook here.
*****
You’re invited to join the “Let’s Have Coffee” link-up! Simply write a post that has the kind of encouragement you’d share with a friend over coffee (the link-up goes live at 5:30am CT every Wednesday, and you can view the Link-Up Guidelines here). Don’t have a blog? You can still write an encouraging comment. If you’re reading this by email, go to holleygerth.com to see all the fun and join in too.
After you link-up your post, take a moment to leave an encouraging comment on the one that’s linked just before yours. Thanks, friends!
{Want to share a word of encouragement on Twitter? Click this link and then tweet!}
[inlinkz_linkup id=805223 mode=1]
