Brothers and Reminders of Grace

I have some amazing brothers. I really do!
I am so thankful for their wisdom and love for the Lord.
Today I am especially thankful for Nicholas.
A man who inspires me so much in my life.
Last night he shared some words with me that literally cut me to the core.
We were talking on the phone and I was sharing how God has been growing me and changing me in the past few weeks.
How I am learning to practice self-discipline and self-control in all areas-mentally, physically, and spiritually.
I told him how things are going great so far.
Then he said talked about how great that was and that he had some encouragement for me.
I don’t know the exact quote so forgive me Nick but it goes something like this.
He said things are good now but that there will be hard days. There will be days I don’t get up and exercise, there will be days I eat the wrong food for the wrong reasons,
there will be days I spend money selfishly and unwisely. There will be those days and there will be the temptation to beat myself up. I will be tempted to feel like a failure and that
all my hard work was for nothing. He told me not to go threre.
He instead reminded me that no matter what I am loved. I am so loved by God and nothing can change that. I am His precious daughter and I am beautiful and whole in His sight.
My brother told me of grace and how no matter how badly I may slip up, nothing can change my identity and who I am.
I needed that.
Though things are good now there will be those days.
And when those days come, I will treat them with grace and rest in God and all He says I am.
I will then continue to fight the next day on this journey of growth with God’s strength.
I am so thankful for a brother who reminded me of that powerful truth.
I feel like this quote from my favorite author, Shauna Niequist.

“Instead of punishing myself with work, I’m practicing self-care.

Instead of being reckless about how I treat my body, I’m choosing discipline and health.

Instead of control, I’m dwelling in grace.

Instead of noise, I’m choosing prayer & therapy.

As ever, I learn the hard way. But I do learn, little by little, and that’s all we can ask of ourselves.”