My “One Word” for this year is Stronger. Two years ago it was Fearless. Positive words, full of possibility and hutzpah. I picture them hanging out on the street corner of my life like tough dudes yelling, “Bring it on suckas!”
But this week it was all West Side Story and Stronger and Fearless got into a rumble, roughed up by Discouragement and Doubt.
I’m guessing I’m not alone. If not this week, some week this has been your experience. And you slouch in the alley and say, “What the what?”
Maybe the the street gang of “not good enough” has been winning this week because you were sucked into the comparison game and came up short. Maybe you’ve experienced a set back in your goals, or you’ve just felt trampled by the insensitivity of others.
And maybe on top of it you beat yourself up too. If only I could…If only I did…
One of our favorite stories about daughter Katy is when she had disobeyed and I had her take a time out and sit on the stairs in the front hall of our house. As I walked past her, doing stuff I heard her mumbling and grumbling to herself. I asked her what she was saying. Scowling, she responded:
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but later it will yield a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11)
As I was slumped and a little bruised this week, I knew I needed a time out too. I needed to lean into the presence and power of Jesus.
Practically speaking, that meant I turned off social media, I called a close friend and told her All Of The Things. And like Elijah who runs away in 1 Kings 19, feeling beat up, I needed a snack and a nap. Then I got completely still before the Lord and said “Here I am.” And in that silence He whispered one word: Enough.
Maybe God wanted to say “Enough of your silly street brawling. I’ve won this fight so stand down. Relax.” But He also reminded me:
My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness. (1 Cor. 12:9)
So this weekend will you join me in breathing in the “enough” of God and breathing out your own “not enough”?
does this mean you owe your daughter $5 for using her as an illustration, like your husband does? SO Glad you at least are hearing both voices in tough times, and not feeling alone… cheering us on!