Tag: #livingingodsgrace

#THREE

I was in the third grade. I remember the conversation. “She’s not gifted, Mrs. Williams. I’ll test her, but I’m telling you…she’s not gifted.” That’s what the teacher told my mom when she demanded they test me for gifted classes. “I’m not going to do well on this test”, I said to myself as I sat listening to their conversation. I took the test and I wasn’t gifted. At least not according to the school’s standard. But my sister and brother were. It was tough growing up crammed between two gifted people. I always felt inferior. Not quite smart enough. If I wasn’t created to be gifted, what was I created for?

If I could go back and have a conversation with my 13-year-old self, I would tell her that she is created in the image of Christ Jesus to do good works. That she was born at this specific time in this specific place for a specific reason that aligns with God’s plan for humanity.  A plan that is for her good and for His Glory. I would tell her that God intentionally created her for a unique purpose. A purpose that only she can fulfill. I would tell her that she doesn’t have to be declared gifted by man, because she has already been declared gifted by God. And if she commits her life to following Christ, she will do the good works that God prepared beforehand for her to walk into. 

Truth #3

YOU WERE CREATED TO DO GOOD WORKS

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10 NASB)

Karris

#FOUR

I love you. I hate you. I love him. I hate him. We’re friends. We’re not friends. I’m happy. I’m sad. Life is great. Today is the worst day of my life. The daily swing of emotions I experienced going into my teenage years is something I’ll never forget. Although I tried, I never could get a grasp on them. Without rhyme or reason, they were always changing.

If I could go back and have a conversation with my 13-year-old self, I would tell her that everything in life changes. Especially her feelings. One day things are well and the very next day things are falling apart. It’s just how life goes. Change is inevitable. I would tell her not to focus on how she feels or her thoughts on a given day, but to focus on the one thing that is eternal and stands firm in the heavens, GOD’S WORD.

Truth #4

GOD’S WORD STANDS FIRM

“Your word, Lord, is eternal;
    it stands firm in the heavens.” (Psalm 119:89 NIV)

Karris

#SIX

“I’ll be right back. I promise. I’ll be right back.” We were going to Chuck E. Cheese and I was so excited. We all got ready, sat on the couch, and waited for him to come back. We never went to Chuck E. Cheese that day and I was devastated. “But he promised”, I thought to myself as the realization sunk in that we weren’t going. There were a lot of broken promises and eventually I started breaking promises too.

If I could go back and have a conversation with my 13-year-old self, I would tell her that God is the only one who always keep His promises. People are imperfect and, as much as they try not to, they disappoint us and let us down. Even the people that love us the most. It’s the result of sin. I would tell her to focus on the promises of God and to extend grace to those around her who make promises and can’t honor them. Because eventually she’ll break a promise too.

Truth #6

God is a Promise Keeper

“Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.” (Joshua 21:45 NIV)

Karris