Encouragement.  Sometimes I feel that there is not enough encouragement within the body of Christ.  Of course we hear the “churchy” sayings like “Jesus loves you” or “We are all members of the body of Christ”.  Well, while these are both very true, how can you receive the message that they are conveying?  I don’t know about you, but I have struggled with really understanding how or why statements like these can apply to me.  I still have “issues” and shortcomings. 

To many people, I don’t fit that “churchy” mold.  Because I have felt different for years and have failed at trying to be what people think I should be.  God has been great at making me feel like I am exactly what He wants.  It was over a year ago that a great woman of faith spoke over me and told me that I needed to just be who God made me to be and to understand that I won’t fit into other people’s imaginations.  WOW!!  After this, I began to constantly thank God for creating me the way He did.  This has been extremely liberating!

I have been on a quest to find out what God wants from me and what He expects from me.  Through this journey, He has showed me that there are so many women that are stuck in this mold that God didn’t create for them.  Maybe you struggle with getting your “ducks in a row” or feelings of failure because you’re not where other women are in their lives.  I believe that God has brought me through all of these things to help people understand we need to find out what God wants us to do individually.  This is a message that is necessary not only for Christians, but also for non-Christians.  I believe that we will see our lives as more productive when we allow ourselves to work with our true selves instead of against it.  God already knows who you really are…He made you that way!!!

YOU are exactly what God wants!  Yep, you. WOW!!! How on earth is that true? I don’t know about you guys, but I find that hard to understand. I still have things that I need to work on.  I am far from perfect.  So I asked God how that was possible and He showed me…


Imagine you find a ratty, nasty, smelly dog wandering through your yard. Now that you see that, imagine saying "that is EXACTLY the dog I’ve always wanted." That is usually not the first thing that comes to mind. Most of us would grab a broom and chase that flea covered thing far away from our house.  Let’s say you take that dog and you feed her and tell her that you love her and do everything that you can to build trust between you and this nasty, nappy dog. You may have to put up with that raunchy smell, but in your mind, it will all be worth it. Finally, you have the dog trusting you enough to allow you to snip off some of that matted hair. Little by little the dog lets you clean her up a little more, then a little more. You are now ready to take her to a professional groomer to allow him to work his cleaning magic on her. You come back a few hours later and viola...SHE’S beautiful!!! Now she has become that dog you knew she was all along. It took time, love and patience, but to you it was well worth it. All of your friends that thought you were a nut case for even touching her are overwhelmed and amazed at her transformation!


I said all of that to say this; God created each person special and unique on purpose.  According to Psalm 139:14 (NLT) God created us “wonderfully complex!”  We were created to serve Him even if we never heed that call. He knows us better than anyone knows us and He STILL loves us. That is because He knows what we really are! If you are dealing with your place and importance, then you need to really get this. Jesus died for us while we were that nasty, smelly dog because He knew who we were going to be. You may realize that you are not perfect, holy or righteous, BUT you are EXACTLY what God wants!!!!!!

Remember, the dog was thankful and receptive to the help she was receiving.  Take time to listen and obey God’s direction in your life and He will show you how to be the most effective Christian you can be!  “Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.” (Ephesians 4:22-24 (New Living Translation) throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.

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