Hi, everyone. I have missed this little place of encouragement for wives and moms as well as for teen girls.
So, to tell you a little bit about my life the last few months… I believe I shared with you that in March I became my grandmother’s full-time care giver until she passed away in July. She lived in our home while I cared for her, my five children, and my extremely busy husband. After she was completely bed-ridden and could no longer do anything for herself, hospice came in and showed me how to care for her. Before this point, I never thought I could do the things I did to care for her. That’s not what this blog post is about, but I did want to mention that this summer has been an eventful one.
There are so many things I enjoy and want to accomplish in my life, but let me tell you my heart beat. I want to encourage YOU. We can never do by ourselves for God what a team of encouraged people that are fulfilling their roles that God has for them can do.
I’m convinced that many times we never reach our full potential because we become hurt, discouraged, and exhausted. We quit motivating ourselves; in the mean time we are waiting for someone else to come a long and encourage us. Let me just say, if you are waiting for that magic moment, it’s probably not going to come.
The time is now. David learned how to encourage himself in the Lord. I remember the days with little babies thinking how would I ever get the strength to get out of the bed and take care of little people, my home, and all the other responsibilities. I thought some people just had a knack for “having it together.” What was I missing? Oh, I remember my struggles.
I told myself as a child and as a teenager to never forget my struggles so that I could know how to relate to other people when I was older. God has grown me and has done such a work in my life that would take me the rest of my life to praise Him for. But, I also remember my struggles as a new mom. I remember having to encourage myself to learn and grow day by day. I remember holding on to words that others had confined me to or lies I had told myself.
Before I was married, a lady a few years older than me left me a note that said, “How do you think you are ever going to be used by God as a preacher’s wife if you can’t even keep your room clean?” I carried those words into motherhood thinking I would never overcome some of my struggles. You know the struggles that everyone knows about you. Maybe you are habitually late, but it’s an embarrassment to you. You have heard the comments and feel defeated living life like this is the way you will always be. You feel confined to those words.
I remember thinking so many times I wanted to change certain things about myself. I wanted to be a better version of me. I’m so thankful that God is the Potter and I am the clay. I’m thankful that He’s still working on me. I’m thankful that I married a man that loves the flaws that I always find in myself, and has always been patient with my growth. We have learned we cannot change the other person. We only have the power to change ourselves, but our influence is powerful!
Finding security in who you are in Christ is one of the most liberating things you can do for yourself. When I know how much I’m loved, I find rest in His truth, not the stress I find in comparing myself to anyone else. I want to be a better me because I want to experience everything that Christ has for me.
David knew he failed over and over again. He was sorry for his sin, yet he kept encouraging himself. He kept praising the Lord for Who He is and what He had done. We need to take the emphasis off of who we are, and instead emphasize the power that is through Him within us.
~Jackie
Psalms 38:4, “For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.”
“I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.” (Verse 6)
“I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart. Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee. My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.” (Verse 8-10)
“For in thee, O Lord, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.” (Verse 15)
I love you all, and hope you always leave this website encouraged or challenged in a good way.
Please always feel free to let me know how you’re doing. Leave a comment and share through social media so that your friends and family will be encouraged also.
Love, Jackie
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