In April, Ashley Mays blogged "I Like Me." It really hit home. I sent it to a friend and said, "Does this touch your heart?" She said, "Oh, yeah. Big time."
I couldn't forget Ashley's words. I knew the Lord wanted to do some work in my heart, so I gave Him permission. What is it? I prayed. Why does this post get to me?
Even though I'm 50, (51 tomorrow) there were a few things about myself I didn't like. God brought back a couple of not-so-nice comments that were said to me years ago--things I thought I'd forgotten. But it seems they must have buried down deep in my heart and taken root.
I asked Him to remove the yucky feelings from so long ago. And He did!
In May, I spoke at a Mothers' Day Garden Tea, which explains my hat and overalls. With Ashley's permission, I opened by sharing her blog (and gave her Web site). So many women/ladies/teens identified! I could see it in their expressions.
If there's anything lingering from your past--trying to hold you back, tell you you're not good enough, that God can't possibly love you, I'd be glad to pray for you. There's another way to live!
Thank you, Ashley for your post. Your words are changing lives.
Love,
Julie
11 comments:
Aw, thanks, Julie! :-) I"m so glad God has used my past experiences and my words in the lives of others...
I sure like the idea of a Mother's Day Garden Tea! I am just now getting to be part of our Women's Ministry at church & I'm going to share this idea! Sounds like a ton of fun!
(I know those thoughts, by the way, about not feeling worthy or loved, and feeling bound by the "I'll never measure up" etc. I am praying with you today for ladies who are struggling with this today.)
Thank you for sharing!
Me too. :-)
Do you think that it is possible to love others and not yourself? I am struggling with this concept. I have a few people in my life who I really feel I do "love," but I don't really love me. Can someone explain this to me? Thanks!
First of all, you look great :)
Second of all, I just went back to read Ashley's post and was incredibly moved. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I also thank you for giving me the idea to pray to God about taking the negative feelings which are associated with bad experiences away. I've NEVER thought to do this in all the years that I've cried and gotten depressed all over again after reliving incidents that occurred ages ago. Thank you for sharing this!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
I am on the ministry team that did that Mother's Day Garden tea. I can tell you from personal experience that both Ashley's and Julie's words touched the right people that day. One young girl there that day is being bullied at school. Hearing Julie state "I Like Me" allowed the young girl to open up and expose her pain to hearing all the false messages that she is not good enough. Thank you both for allowing God to use you. Cheryl
Daisy, it was an incredible idea. The church scheduled it from 2-4 and decorated with little potted plants.
Hmmm, Kaitlyn. Good question. I think the freer we are inside, the freer we are to love others. For one thing, it helps us forget about ourselves in a good way--if that makes sense. Yes, for sure, I've loved others before this prayer time--but He helped me let go a little more. Hope that helps. Life can be such a process~~
Y'all are making me cry little happy tears. It was quite an experience sharing with the church group...freed me even more as I shared Ashley's blog out loud!
This has me praying about a LOT of stuff--future writing, ministry, etc. Ashley, see what you started, my friend?
:-) I feel so humbled by all this...I guess sometimes it just helps to know none of us is alone! Julie, if you ever have any ideas for a ministry around this stuff, definitely shoot me an email! This is the sort of thing that resonates with me on so many levels.
how do I know that God CAN AND IS loving me when I have bad leukemia, and the doctors at Riley think that I will die before high school? I've grown up in a Christian home, and church, but I just don't see why God would do that to me. I would gladly appreciate any ideas on how to live the last (estimated) 10 months of my life.
Hey Sarah,
I'm sitting here praying for you. I almost went to bed and decided to check this post one more time. I have zero answers about why you're having to go through this right now. I'm so very sorry. I know one thing for sure because I've experienced it. There's a special verse that says if we draw near to God, He'll draw near to us. He'll show up through friends and family--through ways people reach out--through this peace that settles on you that's so real you can't believe it. Through little things and through big ways. I'll be writing your name in my prayer journal. Sometimes, I just write a name because God knows your needs better than I can say them. I'm lifting your name right now...
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