Grit & Grace

Have you ever given someone solid advice, achieved something great, or stood out where you never have before? Then, rather than feeling accomplished, grateful, or blessed, you feel like a hypocrite? What makes us feel that way when we help someone else outside of our own power? Honestly, we have to know that God had a hand in that success. Even giving Him all the glory for it, though, doesn’t always make those feelings go away.

Usually in this column, I share my experiences, a little window into my life, and a whole lot of my walk with God through it all. I tend to give advice and calls to action because, well, I’m bossy—I made a career out of it! All kidding aside, this week I want to do something a bit different; I feel like God is urging me to do something different.

Most of us have dreams and aspirations that we’re working toward in this life. I take mine to God, pray, and work for what I’m believing Him for.

To say that I’ve struggled with what to write about this week is an understatement. I’m quite literally and figuratively “all over the place.

Ever had a day, week, month, or longer where you didn’t know why you were where you were doing what you were doing? I’ve had those times here and there over the years—usually of the day and/or week variety. However, over the past year or so, I’ve been wondering if this is my place any longer.

Ever felt like you didn’t belong—anywhere?!? I certainly have for the majority of my life. I’ve never really “fit” anywhere in a lasting way.

In the past couple of weeks, there have been an overwhelming number of you out there who have praised me for my writing once again. I’m so thankful that this column has touched you and helped you or even just entertained you.

How many of you out there have a TikTok account? I fought the urge to join for a long time, thinking it was a waste of time among other issues I’d heard stirred up about it. However, I did eventually give in to the new craze and sign up for an account.

Let’s take a trip back in time. I want you to think of a time when you were in your teen years making all the “best” decisions in the world.

First of all, I’d like to thank some of you who have reached out since I started writing this column. I’m extremely humbled by your loving words.

It’s funny how my mind works, and how God talks to me. He told me to write about hope this week.

I went to my bible study group potluck where our group leader gave us the sweet gift of magnets that had a quote and a bible verse that went with it on them. I wanted several of them, but once I spotted the one that said “Dream BIG,” I knew that was the one for me.

In my younger days friends could dare me to do something, and I’d just blow it off, but if they were really serious, they’d double-dog dare me. You couldn’t just ignore a double-dog dare—no, that was grounds for being called an epic coward.

Have you ever had a day or week (or longer) that just wasn’t going your way when the world is out to get you through no fault of you own, and you just can’t seem to win? The coffee isn’t strong enough; the sun’s in your eyes; and the dog trips you as you head out the door. “It’ll get better once I get to work,” you tell yourself, but, instead, all your co-workers and boss have made it their personal missions to make your life miserable—poor, innocent, you.