Friendships are something I have always cherished. Long talks over coffee are among my top 3 favorite things to do. I love intently listening and even more so purposely encouraging. I have been fortunate enough in life to always have a great circle of cheerleaders and I take every chance possible to return the favor. As with any relationship it can be hard but the pay off is always worth the investment.
Photographed by: Starling and Sage
Investing in friendships has been at the very top of my priority list this past year and God has taught me so much through serving and loving each of them. One of the most important things I have learned is the one similarity among us all. We all have insecurities and self doubt! I really thought I was alone in that character flaw. Thankfully yet unfortunately I am not.
I am surrounded with a group of the most talented men and women in the world. That is not an opinion it is truly a fact. These people are amazing. I always think back to when I viewed each of their work or talent for the first time. I was so mesmerized and impressed.
Through my eyes they were famous and their talent glowed. As friendships developed God showed me something the world had blinded me to. We are all “real” people. Outside of our Instagram news feed and Facebook page is a person who doubts themselves just as I have soo many times before. My heart broke every time I heard them critique their work. If only they could see through my eyes. If only they could feel as beautiful and as wonderful as they looked. Then suddenly it dawned on me, I am exactly the same.
Photographed by: Starling and Sage
Time and time again I pick my work apart. Always stressed over perfection and critiquing ever word and every post. If only I could see myself through others eyes. Investing in others has shown just as much change in me as it has in them. Doubt and fear are from the enemy and I am determined to overcome them both. 2 Timothy 1-7 says, ” For God has not given us a Spirit of fear but, of power and love and of a sound mind.”
No matter where you are in your walk know this. You are beautiful, you are talented, you are enough. 1 Corinthians 15-10 says this, “But by the grace (the unmerited favor and blessing) of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not [found to be] for nothing (fruitless and without effect). In fact, I worked harder than all of them [the apostles], though it was not really I, but the grace (the unmerited favor and blessing) of God which was with me.”
God has favor and blessing over you and it glorifies him to use the talents he bestowed upon you. Nothing is more beautiful than confidence and I challenge us all to shine with it. To all my talented friends you are perfect in every way. I pray and lift you up daily as I always will. My prayer as that our eyes be opened, that we give ourselves grace, and that we someday really see the beauty we create.
Love,
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Amelia - What a lovely sentiment and something I always need to remember! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your talents! :))
admin - Thank you for your kind words Amelia!