Stewart Smalley and SNL left us with that beautiful little nugget…“I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people like me.”
While this phrase became one of those funny things that we would say to each other as teenagers I wonder how often any of us believed it?
In fact for the majority of my life I believed the opposite. I would never be good enough, I am not smart enough….and people won’t ever like me.
Why is it that it can be so easy to see our weaknesses and so hard to discover and name our strengths? (< ==== Click to Tweet)
When you look in the mirror what reflection do you see? Do you see the “ugly duckling” or the “beautiful swan”?
Do your eyes focus on all of the things you don’t like about yourself? Or are you able to see all of the good?
I want my reflection to be one of God’s grace, His light.
Sometimes getting to that place can seem selfish….especially if we aren’t used to putting the focus on ourselves and naming the positive things about us….
But in Holley’s Devotional “Opening the Door to Your God Sized Dream” she writes this: “But actually choosing to understand and embrace who you are is one of the most unselfish things you can do because it maximizes your ability to serve others and bring glory to God.”
If I want to bring glory to God I have to understand and develop those very things that He made strong in me! (< ==== Click to Tweet)
I spent some time listening to a couple of the speakers from this weekend’s IF Gathering. What I heard was amazing, I am probably going to have to buy the DVD if they make one available! But Rebekah Lyons said this and it really hit home for me. “Finding our calling is being in the place where our talents and our burdens collide.”
So I ask myself, and you….what stirs your heart? And how has God already equipped you to be a part of whatever picture that is?
It can be a bit of an overwhelming thought…but I think we just need to take it one step at a time….
So I start with my strengths and one of mine is my heart for missions….for helping others and giving back what God has so freely given us.
I can take those things that God built into the person that I am and find ways to use them for His glory. How cool is that?!
It doesn’t become something selfish or pretentious when we list our strengths when we are seeking to follow our God-given dreams!
Is it hard for you to name your strengths? I’d love to hear what one of your strengths is so that I can encourage you in your journey!!
I am joining my God-sized Dream sisters today and linking up at the God-sized Dreams Website….want to join the fun?? Click here to read more!
Photo Credit: rkramer62
Kristin,
I love that we used similar photos for this post! 🙂 And yes, I love that God uses for his purposes what he instilled in us from the time he made us! Having a heart for missions is beautiful — and so are you!
Blessings,
Valerie
I love your words, my friend…and that quote from Rebekah. YES…where talents and burdens collide. That finally puts words to what I’ve been feeling for so long. And having a burden for missions…something we definitely have in common. 🙂 I’m anxious to see what God will do with it! Hugs to you, friend…have a wonderful day!
love this!!!! ♥ i seriously TREASURE your vulnerability!! thank you!! it’s SUCH a gift!! ♥
Love that SNL quote, I think that needs to be my personal mantra! 🙂
I hate that I missed the IF conference, but I think I will buy the DVD when it comes out. It sounded like it was really good!
Girl I just need to start off by saying I LOVE YOU TONS! It is so cool to read what is on your heart and in your mind. You are such an encourager. You pour into so many peoples lives. I have become spoiled by your presence in my life. When I create something new, I am always wondering what did Kristin think about it. And when I see a like or a comment, my heart jumps because someone who loves me and believes in my dream just sent me encouragement. I say all of that to say – keep being you because you are making a difference in a lot of people lives. Together we are making a difference in 10 orphans lives. So on behalf of Aida, Abdul, Prisca, Onelis, Daniel, Solomon, Luly, Sintayew, Beniyam, Dagmawi and the little ones at Baby Watoto – keep being you because YOU ARE ON THE MISSION FIELD already.
I loved the SNL quote. But more than anything I love your honest and your heart. The more I come here, the more I discover we have much in common. I can always SO relate to what you share and ALWAYS leave here encouraged. THANK YOU. I was traveling this past weekend and missed the IFGathering videos but really hope they sell them on a DVD as I’ve heard so many wonderful things.
My gift…I always feel like God is still revealing but today as I was driving home and reflecting on the post I wrote, I believe one of my spiritual gifts is compassion. God has used my past to help me have compassion on those going through similar experiences.
Blessings to you.
Beth
Beth THANK YOU so much!! Your words lifted my spirit tonight!!