i’m working so hard on kindness and grace and forgiveness and compassion. it’s easy to be nice to the sweethearts and the cuties and the people that overflow you with the same kindness you’re giving. but man, oh man, is it tough to be kind to the people who are rude and harsh and rough and tough. it’s not the easiest to show compassion to someone who never once thinks about how you feel. how do you love the one who put you through so much torment? how do you show grace towards the girl who tore you down day after day? how can you incorporate forgiveness to the man who ripped you of your innocence? you can only do those things through Christ. through the love He gives toward us on the days that we are rude and harsh and rough and tough. He never turns away and says, “you are too much. you are too rough around your edges. I cannot love you today. get yourself together and then I will.” never. it’s something that i am striving so hard to get better at and become sweeter and daily work on seeing people as Christ sees them. flawed but still oh so lovable. because i am just as they are. i am just as flawed, and still so loved. i am no better, i am no closer to deserving His grace. i am an empty, flawed, sinful, wretched vessel who is desperately striving to be used for His glory.
God is not going to bless a goal motivated by greed, envy, guilt, fear, or pride. But he does honor your goal that is motivated by a desire to demonstrate love to him and to others, because life is all about learning how to love.
Rick Warren (via growing-in-christ)
The need to replenish our bodies for the start of a new day cannot be emphasized enough. God has given us tremendous and personalized talents, but without energy to perform them, we are unable to do our best. This can affect your work, home, and your spiritual growth. If you’ve been working hard on a long project, don’t forget to take breaks to replenish yourself when necessary.
growing-in-christ