It’s funny how sometimes in life, we fear something so much because in our heads we’ve run through all of the crazy scenarios of how people might react to something or what they may say to us or about us. We, of course, think of all the negative possibilities and how those negative possibilities may make us look or feel. We often let our fears get the best of us and hold in whatever it is we thought we should initially share – whether the message needed to be shared or not.

With my last post, Starting A New Life, I learned that was a silly notion. I’m sure that there were plenty of people that read my post and now think that I’m nuts or disagreed with what I had written, but what I found is that there was really nothing to be afraid of. Sure, I’m still a bit timid, wondering who actually saw my post and took the time to read it and now knows a little bit more of what lies within my head and my heart. However, I’m relieved. I’m relieved because now I’ve said it. Now, I get to be me in a bigger way than ever before. I get to be me, embracing and learning from my flaws outwardly as much as inwardly. And that’s ok.

I also learned that there were actually a lot of people that said they connected with the post and my trials. Ah, to be vulnerable. Vulnerability teaches us how to grow in ways that we never expected we could grow. It teaches us to open ourselves to the journey God has set before us. It helps us to embrace ourselves for everything we are – good and bad.

Fear tells us that we have to be perfect or else…

That is a lie. We do not have to be perfect. In fact, we can’t possibly be perfect.

My sweet friend, Jess Chambers, told me, “If we were perfect we wouldn’t need Jesus,” and boy has that statement resonated with me. Actually, I don’t think this statement will ever leave my head. What a beautiful image. All of a sudden, with her one statement, she allowed me to let go of the fact that perfection is not actually attainable for us. Not only is it unattainable, but the search for perfection distances us from our Lord. Instead we should focus on His love and forgiveness in our pursuit to become better, not perfect, but better people.

Today, bask in His perfection, knowing that we are nothing without Him. Let go of your fears and follow His ways.