Its been a little while since I've posted anything. I decided early in my blogging career that I would only blog when I have something that I REALLY want to share and feel like someone else might be able to relate to and benefit from.
I heard a testimony once from a couple who explained the reason they were so willing to share the testimony of their journey was that others needed to know they weren't perfect so others could know it was okay to not be perfect. Read that slowly one more time...I had to! It does make sense. Sometimes we need to hear others struggles, temptations, and weaknesses to know we're not alone in our battle. The important lesson in this is not that we're excused, but they we are forgiven and redeemed by a loving heavenly Father who sees us through every step of the way.

So today, take the time to listen to those around you. They may not be standing at the pulpit, or on stage, but their lives are a testimony. Listen as people struggle and use it as an opportunity to share Christ. Even if they are a Christian, sometimes we are refreshed by knowing we're not alone in our struggles. We are redeemed and we are loved, but struggles can be very isolating. Reach out, listen and respond!

As I was riding to work this morning, I was beating myself up for not being perfect. I've not felt well the past couple of days and haven't spent much time in fellowship with God. I say this shamefully as it should be the time I beg for His mercy in my illness and spend the much needed quiet time that my body needs in fellowship with my loving Father. As these things seem to always happen, the script below was the first of several devotions that I read each morning. God's wisdom and comfort comes in many forms, but it doesn't get any clearer than this. Thank you Jesus for how you speak!

Ephesians 5:1-10

Beloved Children, Pleasing to God

Our calling as Christians is to imitate Jesus Christ, but what big footsteps He left! The heavenly Father attested several times in the Scriptures, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased” (Matt. 3:17). How can we possibly live up to that?
Thankfully, the Lord does not expect us to be perfect like Jesus. Knowing that we are encumbered by the weaknesses of our flesh, He sees us as children who are still learning. Just like a mother who rejoices over the her baby’s first steps, so our heavenly Father delights in our early faltering steps of obedience as we seek to walk with Him.
The goal is growth. Once a toddler masters walking, his parents’ delight shifts to more mature achievements like running. As long as we keep growing in our faith, we will never cease learning new ways to please our Father. He loves us and patiently cheers us on at each new level of maturity.
What’s important to the Lord is the bent of our hearts. Amidst all our frailties, failures, and temptations, He sees the desires of our hearts and knows how much we love Him and want to be obedient. Even in our stumbling, He helps us up and encourages us with His Word.
Many of you are far more pleasing to the Lord than you think. If you’re prone to perfectionism, give yourself time to grow. The Father does; so learn to see yourself through His eyes. He’s waiting—not to berate your efforts but to help you develop into the person He designed you to be.