Encouragement

I believe it's nearly impossible to be around other people and not have a desire placed on your heart to speak love and encouragement into those lives. I think that desire is real and put there for a purpose. People need what you have to give, so you should give! You might just be part of a much bigger plan in someone's life. How crazy cool is that? A simple act of love by you, could change another persons life.  I know it can be scary and uncomfortable, you could even be rejected.  I know the fear of rejection has held me back plenty of times. We need to remember that love given is never waisted. Have you ever been out somewhere and just had a pull at your heart towards another person? The kind where you just knew they needed encouragement or love given. Yet, you didn't know why or how you came to that feeling. How many times have you just not been able to shake the pull towards a person? That is real and we need to not ignore it. We could ignore it and move on choosing not to act on whats been laid on our hearts or we can be part of something so much bigger than ourselves. Encouragement is a gift to both involved. To the one that receives,  it's life building and to the one that gives, a priceless gift of being part of someone else's life  in such a special way . I once had an opportunity where I was sitting at a restaurant with my husband and a lady a few tables away was laid heavy on my heart. Why?  I didn't know her or a single thing about her, yet, as I sat there eating dinner I couldn't avoid that pull towards her. My husband said to me, "if you feel lead to encourage her then do it".  Easier said then done, right? So as we were walking out of the restaurant, I purposely walked past her, took a silent deep breathe and spoke what I felt was laid on my heart for her. She paused, examining my face for a moment then burst into tears and said "thank you" as she stood and hugged me. I didn't get her story or the details of why a simple act could cause such emotions of gratitude but it did and I am still thankful I was able to be part of her life even if only for that moment. I love to give encouragement and to get encouragement. I doubt there are to many of us that wouldn't say the same thing. Its a universal gift that everyone wants and needs always, encouragement never becomes outdated.

Why I hate labels and want them out of my vocabulary.

Labels and how they affect us has been laid on my heart the past few days. The labels that were placed on us as children and even still as we become adults, and how we usually live up to what we are labeled. Most of my labels came from Dr's and some teachers. I could go through and use most the letters in the alphabet with all the abbreviations of "things" that were placed on me as wrong or not normal. Most of us don't even realize we label our children or put groups of people in labeled boxes. We like to label people in our culture, I think we do it to help us gage what we think is normal and to make us feel more normal. You know, the normal we as people have deemed as how one should be, act and live. It's a tiny box, one that most don't fit into, yet we try very hard to push and squeeze ourselves till we fit. When we are labeled damaged goods,victim, misfit or a misbehaved child, we tend to act the way society labels us. I have a new proposal. Lets rip away the labels, the ones placed on us by society, the medical community, our parents, teachers, friends and even ourselves. Lets put on a new image, the one that was placed there from the beginning from the one that created us. We were all made and formed perfectly not a mistake was made when forming Each of us. Psalm 139:13: You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. God doesn't mess up! When one of us is abused we feel we are damaged but thats not truth.  We are His masterpiece, His beloved, His creation.  Now, if you are one that must do labels those last three are for you!

A letter to survivors

Your past doesn't hold your value and your worth was never stolen it was just temporarily hidden from your view. Even though you walked through hell if you listen carefully you will hear a beating heart, because no matter how hard they life tried, it couldn't destroy that or take it from you. You are here in this world for a purpose and your strength is that of so very few. Your life, story and courage inspires me.  If there was only one thing I could tell you to remember, it would be, your voice and story does matter and you are crazy loved. Your life is powerful probably more than you can imagine or dream up today. So as you sit reading this, I pray for strength and courage to surround your heart and that your worth will be evident and transparent for you to see. I don't know you or your story but I know your struggles and the lies you have been taught to believe. The ones that have been on repeat your entire life running wild in your head. I am so sorry so much was taken from you and your worth temporarily hidden from view but, you are amazing and that is completely true. I always knew I had more to give but playing small was a safer way for me to live. So I chose to play it safe and keep people at arms length, it worked but was I living? I thought so, until one day when a complete stranger spoke truth into my soul.  What she said that day changed my life. She spoke truth and value in a way my heart could hear. Her courage changed me and it is scary to think where I would be if she would not have chosen to love and speak such powerful words of truth over me. what an injustice that would be to live your life holding so tightly to the gifts God has given you to use in this world because of fear. We all have gifts and talents and not using them to make this world better is heartbreaking to say the least. I need what you have to give, the world needs you to chose to live . If I could look you in the eyes, my three words to you would be, " You have Worth".  I pray you see that today because the world is waiting for what you have to offer.

Choose Love

Every one of us gets through the tough times because somebody is there, standing in the gap to close it for us.” - Oprah Winfrey

I don't know about you, but I've  had several of these amazing people at different times in my life. These people they are there and probably don't even know thay they are changing your life for the better.  These amazing people that even years later, still hold a very special spot in your heart. I've had some present from birth, some from my childhood and even some that have came and gone. Each one had a purpose and helped me through some of my darkest days.
I have had the people that have always been with me, people like my parents, sibling, cousins and aunts. The ones that have always know me and loved me unconditional through it all. Some friends and family that came into my life by choice. I have a sister in law, that even before we were family, she would walk with me after all my counseling appointments just because she knew I needed someone to talk to. A teacher that listened to me and had an amazing way of understanding and making me feel loved. Friends that came along before I knew I had much to give back in return. A husband that chose to love me unconditionally and marry me even when I still had so many open wounds, that at the time had not been healed. I was very blessed to have so many people that loved me. God knew just who I needed and when I needed them. They all played an important role in helping me find my own worth. So remember, you never know what one person is facing and what trial they are currently enduring through. So give grace, love and two open ears to each other. You might just be that person,  the one that helps another person in finding and seeing their own worth and potential. It's not always an obvious thing, sometimes loving someone can be hard and not very fun, but loving someone is always worth it. I know, because I am forever grateful to the ones that have given love out so freely to me.