ACCEPT WHERE YOU ARE NOW
Accept is the #write28days prompt word for Day 5. My mind went to several different areas as I thought about this word.
In my post for Day 2, I shared how I have a hard time accepting the weight I am now. It’s as if I think I have to lose weight in order to be happy. But if I’m constantly worrying about my weight, then I am not trusting God with it. In fact, it probably causes more stress which in turn can cause more weight gain.
Because I am a caring person, I have a hard time saying no when someone asks for help or when I see someone in need. Often, I tend to overextend myself and have trouble finding a balance of caring for myself and serving others.
Another area that bothers me is the clutter in my house. Some of it is mine, but some has accumulated over time from different sources. I just want to see it gone but it’s hard to know where to start. So we make little progress.
ACCEPT LIMITATIONS
What if in each of those areas I start by accepting what IS rather than wishing for what COULD be?
My weight doesn’t define me as a person. God has already identified me as His child and He loves me no matter what my size. Instead of belittling myself I could determine what is a healthy weight and work towards it by taking simple steps.
At the same time I can take joy in the fact that I am a beloved daughter, created by God. In fact, He loves all His children and wants us to love each other. I think that also includes ourselves.
1 John 4:7-8 (CSB)
Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
There will always be people in need in this world. I need to accept my limitations and know that I can’t do everything or help every person I see. But I can ask God to show me what I can do to help those He brings across my path. At the same time I can make sure I don’t neglect my own well being. We are all important in God’s sight.
As far as the clutter, instead of complaining I need to start somewhere. Rather than look at the house as a whole, I can take one small area at a time. It may take awhile, but in the end it will be worth it.
MAKE PLANS AND TRUST GOD
If I can learn to accept where I am in each area, I can then make plans to move forward one step at a time.
I want to start each day with praise to God, and ask Him to direct my steps. And in everything I do, I know that He will be with me.
What about you? Do you find it hard to accept limitations? I’d love to hear from you!
You can find other posts in my #write28days series by clicking HERE.
I’m linking up with: #TeaAndWord, #TellHisStory
Gayl,
I love this! You are still working on it but happy with where you are now! Great connection!
Karen
Thanks so much for your encouragement, dear Karen. It is hard sometimes to accept limitations, but God will help us to trust Him. Blessings to you! xo
Hi Gayl! I definitely find it hard to accept limitations. Right now it is seeing the signs of aging and knowing there’s no way out of it. There’s nothing I can do to stop it. I love what you’re saying here, though. It helped me to read it…thank you. 💕
Amy, nice to have you visit! I know what you mean about aging. I just keep telling myself I’m not old. LOL I do have to agree with you that there really is no way to stop the aging. but we can accept where we are and move forward as we follow Christ. Blessings to you! I’m glad my post helped you today. xo
“As far as the clutter, instead of complaining I need to start somewhere.” One of my mantras in many areas of life, after I’ve put forth some effort, is “it’s better than it was.” 🙂
Yes, I like that -“It’s better than it was.” I might just have to adopt that mantra, too. 🙂 Blessings to you, Molly! Thanks for visiting.
I have limitations due to severe arthritis in my spine and neck. Also, due to chronic sinusitis. I wake up some mornings and start complaining to God. Most mornings, I wake up and thank Him for the things I am able to do and for His love and mercy. My day is filled with blessings. 🙂
Physical limitations are so hard to accept especially when they cause pain. I want to remember to thank God each morning, because there is always something to be thankful for, isn’t there? We can find so many blessings when we look for them instead of focusing on the limitations. Blessings to you, Dear Melissa!
Dear Gayl,
As I was reading your words, I was struck with the similarity of those words “accept,” and “commit” from your art journal Scripture. How beautiful to know that instead of dwelling on my limitations, I can accept them and commit them to the Lord who knows exactly how to direct my steps from within that place that feels so limiting to me! Oh, He sees things so differently than I do. Thank you so much for these sweet and encouraging words tonight. xoxo
Dear Bettie,
Yes, those words are very similar, aren’t they? I had not thought of that before. Yes, we don’t have to dwell on them, but can commit them to God. He knows what we need and when we need it even though it may be hard sometimes. I’m glad He doesn’t see like we do. I’m glad to have encouraged you as you encourage me so much. Blessings, love and hugs to you, dear sister/poet/friend! xoxo
We are “works in progress” and that is how God made us. He knows who we are and chooses us as His beautiful children. Thank you for your honesty and pointing us back to the One who knows our beginning, middle, and end.
Yes, “works in progress” always growing and learning. Thank you for your encouraging words, dear Mary. Blessings to you! xo