"I wonder when I will ever feel good enough."
Oh, how my heart immediately sank at those words. Usually an encourager, one would probably expect me to say something along the lines of "You are good enough just the way you are."
Contrary to the expected, my first inclination was to say...... "Never."
That may not have been what my friend was hoping to see, but it is truth, none the less.
"Good enough" can never be attained.
Of course, I didn't just leave her with "Never." That would have been harsh. I went on further to explain the truth that, thankfully, we don't have to be good enough because we have a Savior and He is Enough.
This is a truth I am still learning. I grew up a performance driven girl. I learned early on to always strive for the best grades, to work hard, and that making mistakes led to negative consequences. I found my sense of worth tied to my ability to perform. If I didn't perform well, then my sense of worth went down.
It used to be that even when I would pray and read the Bible, I never felt it was enough. There was a nagging haunting that I needed to do more. It was defeating.
Who can live up to enough? It is unquenchable. It can never be satisfied.
Then, Grace.
I started reading this book a few weeks ago and I LOVE it!!! It is freeing me in areas where I didn't even know I needed freedom!
Take a look at the subtitle if you can see it...."Letting go of the try-hard life".
*Sigh* Isn't that one line in and of itself freeing? Who else out there is tired of trying so hard? I GIVE UP! I CAN'T DO IT, not on my own. God is revealing on a whole new level of my need for Him. And. I. Love. It.
There are so many expectations. We place them on ourselves. Some people intentionally place them on us. Others unwittingly place them on us.
I can't keep up! I'll admit it. I need a Savior. I need freedom. Freedom to live. Freedom to laugh. Freedom to say no. Freedom to worship. Freedom that says it is ok if there is a dirty dish in the sink. It is ok if the house is not immaculate. It is ok. Breathe. Live.
It isn't a license to laziness, but instead a freedom to relax. No, we cannot live in a pig sty and God doesn't want us to be lazy, but He also doesn't want us to go around feeling "less-than" because we don't live up to expectations placed on us. We never feel like we are doing enough. There is always one more thing to do.
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
The author of this book, Grace for the Good Girl, is Emily P. Freeman. She has an amazing blog at www.chattingatthesky.com where she will be discussing this book every Thursday for the next 8 Thursdays. I plan to tune in and reread the book. If you are interested in joining the discussion, go check out her blog and tune in on Thursdays. I am hoping to discuss more of the book on my blog as well to go along with hers.
You can buy the book at about any bookstore or you can win a copy this week from here! All you have to do to enter is do one of the following:
1. Become a follower (if you aren't already)- Just click on the blue buttom on the side that says "Join this site"
2. Leave a comment
3. Share on facebook
4. Like or leave a comment on facebook.
Please let me know if you share or become of follower as sometimes I cannot tell and I don't want to miss you!
I will close the contest Tuesday at midnight and announce the winner Wednesday morning!! I love giveaways! You will love this book, trust me. Tell your friends!!
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