Roof Off, Walls Down: You are not a Convenience.
Dear Gifted Girl,
I had another moment I want to share with you.
A good friend told me years ago that the way a relationship begins is the way it progresses at its core. She referenced dating relationships specifically, but over the years I found it to apply across the board. In my meditation time I remembered my friend’s words as I thought about my usefulness to others…and, started assessing the relationships I have that work like this — which are for my learning and which need pruning?
This thought made me think of you. I hope it’s an encouragement like it was to me when I heard it.
While it remains inconvenient at times to be useful, you, my dear Gifted Girl, are NOT a convenience.
There. Ooh, it was liberating to type that! I had to get that out…to encourage me first, and then to pay it forward to you. So when family and friends call (because oddly, we harbor nothing against strangers who pull on our strength and gifting) and ask you to do something before they ask how are you, REMEMBER YOU ARE NOT A CONVENIENCE.
Check those expectations and let friends and family have their moments to be “like everyone else”…as long as you remember you are not a convenience.
Reminder: Your Heart is Still Safe. Luke 12:34 (NASB) says,
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Reminder: You were chosen for love’s sake, and by His grace you are accepted and belong. Read all of Ephesians 1:3-6 (NLT) — verses 4-5 say,
Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.
Reminder: You still have control over you, so keep acting like you’re chosen. It can feel like it, but really, they do not control you. You are not a puppet. Colossians 3:12-17 (NASB) is a great passage…read it all when you can, but for now here is verse 12.
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Take another deep breath, and then KINDLY keep it trucking! (smile) We are well, Gifted Girl. Sometimes we just need to remember that…Lamentations 3:21-26 (KJV)
This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.
Adjust those crowns, beloved, and remember you are not a convenience. You need not defend yourself behind the walls it took you so long to demolish. You are all that is Kingdom lovely with divine intent and precious value. Just keep it moving and remember who the Father made you.
Selah, and with love sincerely.
Blogs I Follow
The Bereans' Commentary with Shaunta D. Scroggins, Ed.D. 