I didn't post as regularly through July as I would have liked - between the heat and the busy-ness of my life, blogging got shelved. But I have another post following on the heels of this one with more newsy updates.
First though, some thoughts on our many imperfections.
Sometimes I feel SO MESSED UP. I continually fail in my mission to be sweet and kind and meek and gentle-spirited to everyone in my circle of influence, especially those closest to me.
Sometimes I feel like a nasty, awful, horrible person.
Sometimes the bright sunlight catches on my shattered self and my flaws are glaringly apparent.
But. There is One who says to Him, I am Flawless. The filter which He views me through is grace. He has made me whole, completely without flaws - PERFECT.
He's my God.
And only He could do this. Because He truly is perfect. And He paid the ultimate price for me.
We saw this video in church on Sunday and it was heart-moving. I nearly teared up when the labels changed to read "FLAWLESS" over every single individual.
Now how does this relate to singleness?
Good question. Let's see... well, marriage is a partnership between two people who ARE going to mess up at some point. There will need to be generous heaping helpings of forgiveness served. And you know what? Before you can live with, love, and forgive a man...
You're gonna have to live with, love, and forgive yourself. And the ONLY way you can do that is to ask forgiveness from God first, and then you can be released to forgive yourself. And it feels so freeing!
I'm talking about the stuff that's just between you and God that nobody else knows about. NOBODY. But he knows. Everything. There's no hiding it from the one who knows your innermost thoughts. Why not give it a try and ask him to forgive you from that yuck? Then you don't have to carry around that self-hatred anymore.
Your singleness journey will be so much sweeter if you stop beating yourself up and start loving yourself, learning and growing into a deeper, richer relationship with God.
And can I say I needed to hear all that just as much as you needed to read it? Wow. :)
Have you experienced the healing power of God's forgiveness?
Love & Blessings,
Beautiful post, Julia. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWell, well, I've been thinking about your post all morning. It's pretty easy for me to forgive others for their humanity. Forgiving myself for my mistakes is a lot harder :)
ReplyDelete(Double publishing this comment; please don't publish my last one as it is a striking example of my human errors *grrr*)
I'm so glad the post touched you, Bethany! :) (Typos happen to the best of us. Pour yourself a serving of mercy!) :D I deleted your 2nd comment and left the first and third. :) Thank you for commenting on my little corner of the web, it's so nice to hear from you. :D
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