”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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.“
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
Sometimes we are our own worst enemies. We tell ourselves we’re not good enough, that we could lose a few pounds, or that our lives would be so much better if we didn’t have x, y, or z. . . . Enter: grace.
Think of the wonderful grace we receive from God. What if we started giving ourselves grace too? What if we allowed ourselves to be at peace with who we are? God made us in His image and how He wanted us to be. Maybe He made you with freckles or with kinky hair . . . or maybe He made you a distance runner or someone who is better at cheering others from the sidelines. We were all made to be who we are. Why are you hard on yourself when you were designed to be just who you are by the One Most High? When we start realizing who we are... that’s when grace can enter. When we are able to give ourselves grace, we can more easily offer it to others too.
I’m reminded of an interaction at work where someone who looked like me expressed that the way I dress and talk is too urban. Basically, my Blackness offended them. Here’s the thing, they too are Black so it was really weird to hear. Nevertheless, I really reflected on what that could mean until I realized that I am 100% comfortable with who I am and how I present. The truth is they aren’t comfortable. I know that I can walk into rooms and present as I am with my locs in my hair, Africa earrings in my ears, suited up with J’s on my feet, and still be “professional” because I don’t subscribe to respectability politics or culture. I come to do my job and do it well! Instead of being offended by the statement I had to extend grace to the other person because their projection on me is a reflection of their lack of self confidence. I can only be me…exactly as God created me to be!
You Got This!
When have you wished you had received grace from another person? Think of a time recently when you could have offered grace to someone else. How would the situation have been different if you had shown them love and grace instead? Practice grace today—not only with yourself but with others too. When you do this, you’ll begin to see yourself the way God sees you—beautiful, valuable, and one-of-a-kind. These are the terms by which I define myself and live my life. I no longer allow the opinions of others to deafen the loud declarations that God has made over my life. You should do the same! Don’t let the opinions of others about the way you parent, how you navigate your marriage, or how you decide to present yourself affect who you are at the core!
Every day my goal is to wake and show up for me… fresh face, freckles poppin, locs lockin! In order to do that, I have to ignore the world’s noise of who I am and embrace the whispers of God affirming who I am! I teach my girls this each day because the world is intent on convincing us that who we are isn’t good enough or accepted! We are accepted by the one who matters most!
You were fearfully and wonderfully made…so be that! Show up for you and give grace to those who haven’t arrived to the place of self love and acceptance!
Love you 😘
~MichelleRena
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