Hey Friend!
Can I be completely honest with you about something? I sure hope so, cause I’m about to be…
I have been struggling deeply with both inspiration and motivation recently. My heart has been heavy and burdened by a few things that have totally taken me off track. I suppose some seasons are just like that and I’m learning, when we find ourselves in this place, it’s important to give ourselves grace and treat the time with gentleness. Equally, we should approach others with grace and gentleness when we know they are experiencing a difficult season.
These are things you think would just come naturally to us, wouldn’t you? But they don’t. Our ego often gets in the way and we end up drowning in things like anxiety, worry, regret and self-judgement. What our hearts really need is God’s kindness and gentleness; an invitation to rest on His sufficiency and not our own.
The world teaches us to deal with the trouble in our hearts by covering up our insecurities with outward social appearances or by becoming hyper goal-oriented so our weaknesses are hidden away. But God’s way of restoring the soul is oh so different. He invites us into the restful quiet where we can experience authentic beauty, gentleness, and kindness; He invites us to restore, nurture and refresh our souls. Isn’t it wonderful how God does that for us? He reminds us that it’s okay not to be okay all the time. And the best part is, He never runs out of His boundless supply of grace, He is forever near to the broken-hearted and He loves His children in the most endless and reckless ways.
Your right hand upholds me. Your gentleness makes me great.
Psalm 18:35 (NASB)
Now, I’m not saying I’m good at ANY of this. So many times I am writing these missives to encourage myself as much as to encourage you, but I truly believe the Lord holds all things in His hands and through His will, our souls will be fully restored. So, go be gentle with yourself today because God’s love is also gentle.
xoxo,
Michelle
Things worth Sharing
READING . LISTENING . WATCHING
As usual, I have two books going right now, one called In His Image for my TLC Mentoring Community and local church group, and the other is called The J-Curve. Have I ever mentioned that I really only ever read non-fiction?
NOTICING . WITNESSING . MEDITATING
Much of my focus lately has been on my family. I have a HS Senior who is applying to colleges, and I’m trying to wrap my head around how it is that 18 years have passed this quickly and how different our family will look and feel when he moves into this next beautiful phase of his life.
REMEMBERING . CREATING . HOPING
Currently creating some new work for the upcoming Art On The Beach event. This is my most loved event of the year, right here in my own little seaside community. Hope you already have your tix; it always sells outs.
Did you know that I once created a stationery line? Here is one of the designs that I named Gentleness. I still have a few sets of these remaining.
Parting Words
REFLECTION QUESTION
If judgment leads to bitterness, anger and quarreling, what does gentleness produce? What helps you experience beauty and God’s gentleness and kindness?
QUOTABLES
“When you encounter difficulties and contradictions, do not try to break them, but bend them with gentleness and time.”
- Francis de Sales
I hope something here put a smile on your face + warmed your heart! If it did, I would love to hear your response.
See you in your inbox for the next monthly newsletter all about Humility!