Today I am asking that we all step away from the mirage of being perfect. We are not Martha Stewart. We are not Beth Moore. We are not Christy Nockels. You are you. Exactly who God wanted you to be. Not perfect. Full of scrapes, dents and scars. Full of mistakes and dreams. Only you can live the life that was meant to be lived through you. Why are women so set on being somebody they aren’t? Why are we not content with the gifts and talents that have so graciously been given us?

My dear sisters in Christ, stop it. Stop making it look like being a follower of Christ means having your hair a certain way and wearing these particular clothes and carrying this kind of handbag. A new believer is going to look at you and see a hill that can not be climbed. Or, heaven forbid, they may be fooled into believing that the way they look or how they keep their house will draw them closer to Christ. Humble yourselves! Show them how we are all broken.

On my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses—though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
{2 Corinthians 12:5-10 ESV}

There is only One who is perfect and He alone deserves all of the glory. We are not Christ. We are the Paul’s and David’s. The liars, the thieves, the murderers, the stutterers. He is made greater when He uses us, the weak but willing. Let’s boast in our weaknesses, Sisters. Let’s put these broken jars of clay on display for all to see. Allow Him to use your brokenness to bring others to Him.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.
{2 Corinthians 4:7-10 ESV}

I know this was harsh my dear Sisters. I do love you all. So take the mask off and let everyone see the true you. You are beyond beautiful. Just the way He made you.

{I want to add that the above jar is now sitting permanently on my desk as a reminder that my children, my family, my friends are all jars of clay as well. I need to be reminded daily that He alone can provide me with the grace needed to extend to others.}

Blessings!

Have you heard of TOMS shoes? They are not the most attractive looking shoes {though much better than Crocs}. However, their appeal comes from the heart of the TOMS company. For every pair of shoes you buy one pair will be donated to a child in need.

This is not just talk. Go to their facebook page and see photo after photo after photo of children in need sporting their freshly donated TOMS. It is so beautiful.

I want to lay this out there. I am not a shopper. By any means. But knowing that because I’m buying a pair of shoes now a sweet young child will be saved from the diseases that come from walking barefoot, well, I was sold. And we’re already preparing to buy everyone in our family a pair of shoes on their birthdays.

And just so we’re clear. These are the most comfortable shoes! But, in all honesty, even if they weren’t I would still buy them. To even imagine what it must be like to walk miles and miles for water with no shoes, at all, every single day is heartbreaking.

The next time you’re in need of a new pair of shoes, or you just want to serve these sweet young souls, check out the TOMS website. There you will be able to see which stores near you are carrying TOMS. I was told that it’s sometimes best to buy a size smaller than you’d normally wear. I, personally, like wearing socks with mine so I just went with my normal shoe size. They are tight at first but they’re like ballet shoes in that respect. You want them to be a little snug because they will stretch. All you do is toss them in the washer to clean them. How simple is that? So go check them out already! TOMS

Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

(Matthew 25:37-40 ESV)

Blessings!