Dearest readers,

Thank-you.  

   Thank-you for being open and vulnerable, raw and beautiful, and caring enough to leave me comments that made my heart lodge in my throat and brought tears to my eyes.  I was so hesitant to share my last post and now am so, so glad that I did.

   I am the worst at replying to comments.  Literally the worst.  But please know that I read each and every one and they often make me laugh or smile or send me humming about my day because of the genuine warmth of your kindness.

I am humbled and grateful.

  And thank-you too, to the people who came up to me in person and thanked me for what I wrote, and were brave enough to voice some of their own struggles.  I am so relieved that I am not in this alone.  That means more to me than you'll ever know.

You have great power, you know.  

   Power in the written or spoken word to speak life into someone, or bring them crashing down.  To breathe strength back into brittle bones, or snap them in two.  To bind up the wounds of a bleeding heart, or stab the knife deeper.  Power to harm or to heal, to sting or to soothe, to tear down or build up.

   And this idea isn't original with me.......the Bible tells us in Proverbs that death and life are in the power of the tongue.   That's heavy.  It describes harsh and rash words as "sword thrusts" but gentle and wise words as a "tree of life" and "bringing healing".

   That power should not be taken lightly, or over-looked, and sadly, I've overlooked it far too often.  Not taking the time to respond, the time to acknowledge, and the time to give thanks.  Well, today is a day for that.

Thank-you for speaking life to me. 

 (I've shared some of your life-giving words below.)

   "I feel like I live in a world of self doubt with no confidence at all. I thought by the time I turn 30 I would have my act together. Thank God for His grace."

"...I am pretty sure that everyone struggles with this to some extent.  I know I do and being more of an introvert myself I struggle with wanting to be more talkative and outgoing. So i guess it's just learning to be content in who God has made us (easier said than done :)"

   "It hasn't always been acceptable in Christian circles to be depressed and need meds. While I am not openly criticized for it I know others have been. I feel like I am benefiting from their hardship and going before me."

   "I resonate so much with the paragraph where you talk about feeling like "too much." I know that feeling. Too loud, too awkward, too snarky, too opinionated, too emotional. And those are the surface ones. Some cut much deeper. Thanks for expressing that so honestly. "

   "...the messages (lies) women are told are that they are either too much or not enough....Such a shaming message and so easy to pick up on and believe, especially, as you said, in the presence of someone who seems to have the right quantities all around."

"I love how you share what is on your heart, you are never too much."

"So so true about the feeling "too much!" I love how you put that; it's not a nice feeling." 

"Such good thoughts...I totally agree. thanks so much for sharing!"

   "I too have always thought I was too much. I always had it in my mind that the proverbs 31 lady was always meek and mild. And maybe she is/was. But I know that isn't me. But 1 morning, before Christ my Savior the words sunk in that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. God made me. He gave me the personality that I have. I wish I could meet you in person. I think we would be friends. :)"

  "Me too. Me too is about all I can say. The curse of the extrovert, yes, how well I know. I think I'm gonna go read this again! Thanks for taking the time and effort to write this out." 

   And finally, one that just completely makes my heart sing for joy..........

  "I do find, however, that when people I admire share their hearts, including their insecurities, I view them differently - but in a good way. They suddenly become more relatable and brokenly beautiful.  This world needs a perfect mixture of dainty and volume, of silent and loud. I am all for ending the stereotype of what a "beautiful woman" is. It is time we as a culture realize that "beautiful femininity" doesn't have a single definition, but is vast and very different."


Speak life to someone today.