I love leading women’s groups. I have had many opportunities to lead weekend retreats, workshops, support groups and small studies. There is just something about women being together that is magical. We know each other in a special way.
When I lead a women’s event (and it is faith based) I always start with a “repeat after me” piece. It will normally go something like this: “I Am A Child of God! I Am Beautiful! I Am Loved! I Am A Masterpiece! I Am Enough.”
This past weekend I had the opportunity to lead a small group of women (not a faith based event) and we did the same kind of exercise. We ended with I Am’s. “I Love Well. I Am Gorgeous. I Matter.”
All of us, men and women alike may know “whose” we are….children of God, but “who” are we?
Is it okay to say I Am Beautiful? Absolutely!
Is it okay to say I Am Forgiven? Absolutely…because you are.
But do I also say….. I Am Judgmental?
I Am Selfish?
Take a look at Isaiah 45:6-7. “I am the LORD and there is no other. I form the light and create darkness. I bring prosperity and create disaster. I, the LORD, do all these things.” (NIV)
In this scripture God is saying, that He is indeed all that is good but that He also is the source of darkness and disaster.
Okay, so I don’t think that this means God “wills” darkness and despair on individuals it’s just that we are hardwired with free will, created in the image of God. We are people He created and has given us the ability to choose sometimes wisely other times not so wisely.
We share this world as God’s creatures and my choices impact others just like your choices impact others. The strength that we find in community can bring us crazy, deep heartache but also amazing strength and hope.
This week I am going to think about my choices and even how I talk to myself in my head (because God’s listening). Am I choosing to pump up someone who needs some extra encouragement or am I being a little selfish and not sharing the gifts that I can bring?
Today I Am Thankful For:
- Naps
- Direct flights
- Old friends and new ones
- Sharing my heart
- rain
