I’ve been looking at the cursor on a blank page, wondering how to put into words what’s tossing like a salad in my brain.
Let me give it a try…
Sometimes I wonder if my notes here – my invitations to re-think or ponder God-things or laugh at life moments – are deep enough. I wonder if my own faith and lack of faith have the credibility to talk about such important things like God and Grace and Forgiveness.
At the same time, my heart wants to encourage and bring Hope by sharing what I’m learning, where I’m falling short, where I’m growing…knowing that I am one of a gazillion thinking and feeling this way. I want to hear and share our faith stories because they matter and if we don’t each share our stories, those around us miss out.
And then I get that ah-ha moment.
Isn’t that what so many of us Christ-followers wrestle with?
We don’t think we know enough. We haven’t read the Bible enough. Our faith journey is filled with detours, potholes, and rest stops that are closed for the season. And our lives are so very messy.
At the same time, we love Jesus. We want to be His hands and feet. We want others to know about The One Who Never Fails Us. We want to share how His mercy and grace and peace change our lives when He meets us in our messy.
But how do we invite others to get to know God when we still struggle with our own RSVP?
How do we reconcile our doubts with sharing his promises?
I am reminded of two things…
God’s promises never change. My emotions and doubts will never ever change what He says in His word. I cannot confuse my questions with His truth. His promises will be kept. He is faithful always.
And…
God does not call us to share His story because we are perfect. He calls us to share His story by telling our stories. We share our faith learnings and our messy-to-peace moments and our stories connect to other hearts.
Our stories take the hands of others and say, Come with me. We’ll get there together.
He invites us to get to know Him. Spend time with Him. Grasp what He has promised.
And He asks us to show up. To use our gifts to tell our stories.
And He takes it from there.
So. Here’s what I’m thinking.
There are blank sheets of paper in front of you and I today.
It might be someone who lives under the same roof as you do.
It could be that co-worker in the cubicle next to you.
Or it could be the retired woman or young high schooler standing behind the checkout line.
That person in front of you could probably use some words of encouragement. Some ink on their paper.
Or they may need a big splash of color in their seemingly ordinary day.
Go ahead. Bring it!
Say the words and use your ink.
Give the smile and splash the color.
You are living your story today – one person at a time.
Your words and your encouragement matter.
Go out into the world uncorrupted …
Shine like bright lights!
Bring a breath of fresh air!
Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God.
Philippians 2:15 MSG and NIV
Karen Thorpe says
Gaye, you are amazing. You always hit the mark for me no matter what I am feeling. Today’s words though you say you struggled with them, are so spot on. Even as I move forward to tell my story and I get positive feedback, I still think to myself is it enough? I know it will make a difference so why I am so skeptical? I just need to do and not question. God will be there to guide me. I have to stop having doubts and be more trusting. Thank you for your words and for your faith.
Gaye Lindfors says
Hi, Karen – Oh my. I sure understand what you’re saying. Your story matters. And there is an enemy who is on a mission to make sure it doesn’t get out there. (Satan’s job description is to steal, kill, and destroy. And that includes destroying the work God has called us to do.) We take our writing one word at a time. A paragraph. A chapter. We keep writing. And we edit (our life and our words!). I can’t wait to purchase an autographed copy of your book, Karen. Keep writing. Much love to you, my friend.