Let's talk about gifts, shall we?
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'Tis the season. Every company is bustling with promotions, blogs are buzzing with gift ideas, and stores are crowded as shoppers seek out gifts for friends and family.

Now, I'm not here to lecture about American consumerism or the materialistic corruption of Christmas. Blah blah blah. I know my readers (you!) are wise and well aware of these perspectives, and you, like me, simply love the joy of blessing others with gifts! But I do want to use this opportunity to talk about another type of "gifting."

There are many things to be said on the subject of spiritual gifts, but I just want to point out a few key things from this Scripture today. 

• We have EACH been given gifts from God. Verse 7 says, TO EACH IS GIVEN. That means that you, me, and everyone else that you know has a gift from God. Keep that in mind the next time you're feeling "less than."

• Our gifts are not for us; they are for everyone. Scripture says that our gifts are for "the common good." That means they aren't given to us to fulfill selfish ambitions; rather, they are God's way of equipping us to make the world a better place.

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• We have all been gifted uniquely. God took special care to give us all different spiritual gifts. Though they are all empowered by the Holy Spirit, they are all uniquely portioned to us as individuals. That means we can happily walk out the callings God places on our lives, without comparing ourselves to others because we know that their unique gifts and callings aren't meant for us, but for them! 

Outfit Details:: JCrew Supersoft Turtleneck & Lou and Grey Sweatpants

Another late assignment submission. This has been happening a lot lately. Actually, a lot all year long. And while my GPA is still a 3.7, the truth is, if it were just based on the potential quality of my work, you know, if I was doing more than the minimum, it might have the potential of being a 4. However, if my professors hadn’t been so gracious and forgiving about my lack of timeliness about meeting deadlines over the course of my graduate studies, it would likely be a 1. 


Here’s the thing. Over the past year, a lot has happened. I found out I was pregnant and stopped taking all medicine cold turkey. I left the comfort of my job and moved to a different state where I had no friends or family- just my newlywed husband. I went through a painful custody battle for my first son, whom I had never been away from for more than one week, and he began spending multiple weeks at a time at his dad’s. I sank into isolation and a pretty deep depression throughout my pregnancy. 


Then, in August, my second son was born, and while the depression lifted, I was hit by an unexpected wave of debilitating postpartum anxiety. Because of that, and because of the trauma of a second c-section, I started having heart palpitations which only made the anxiety worse. It was hard.


Throughout all of this, I wish I could say that I stayed mentally strong. I wish I could say I kept trucking along productively and positively. But I didn’t. I binge watched Netflix to drown it all out. I procrastinated on assignments out of the fear that I wouldn’t be good enough, do well enough. I stopped blogging all together. That book I was writing? Haven’t opened the document all year. And I did it all under the notion that I was giving myself grace. 


But here’s the thing. At what point does “giving yourself grace” turn into “living with a victim mindset”? Because that’s exactly what happened to me. 

I don’t want to live a life suppressed by limitations I put on myself because I’m thinking and operating as someone who is a victim to life’s circumstances. I don’t want to be defined by problems or inconveniences that happen in my life. I don’t want to use the things I struggle with as excuses to avoid being obedient to the things God has called me to do well.


We ALL have challenges in life, but if we just sit right down in the middle of them and park our minds there, we will never move forward into the glory and goodness that God has planned for our lives.


I’m not saying that we shouldn’t be kind to ourselves and forgiving every once in a while if something comes up; we should. We are not perfect. But think of it this way: if a friend cancels on you every single time you make plans together year after year, you’re going to eventually get fed up. You’ll get tired of making plans. Your friendship is going to start to fade apart. You’ll start to expect that he/she will never follow through.


That’s exactly what happens when we sink into a victim mindset.


I can’t do this because I’m too busy with work.
I can’t do this because I have a baby to care for.
I can’t do this because I’m too depressed.
I can’t do this because I just don’t feel good.


And so it just doesn’t get done. But at the end of the day, we make time for the things we really want to do. So be honest.


I’m choosing not to do this because I just don’t want to right now.


And grapple with THAT instead. There comes a point in time when you just have to SHOW UP and do what you’re called to do, faithfully and obediently. You have to stop making excuses and talk yourself into it instead. Mind over matter. Take captive your thoughts and make them obedient to the will of Christ!


So, I don’t know what you’ve been talking yourself out of. Maybe it’s a big dream, like starting a business or writing a book or making a move or applying to a program. Or maybe it’s something small, like finishing that art project or getting that workout in or cleaning your room or sending a letter to Grandma. But stop telling yourself that pitiful you just can’t get it done right now because of blah blah blah (preaching to myself here).


I know what I need to do- finish a project for school! And even though I don’t feel good.. even though I have a baby to take care of... I’m determined to get. it. done. ✅


Free your mind from thinking of yourself as a victim, someone whose circumstances make it okay to live a less than kind of life. God has made you for more. And He has made you stronger than any trials life may throw your way.


For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7