This wasn’t exactly something I intended to write when I sat down to do so this week, but sometimes you hear stories that have a way of tugging at your heart strings, and this is what comes out.
Allow me to remind you why we’re all here.
…
Dear Reader,
I don’t know your name. I don’t know your story. I don’t know the season of life you’re finding yourself in. I don’t know if your heart was just broken, or maybe it feels like it’s never been whole. I don’t know if you’re disappointed, let down, tired of waiting, or caught in between.
I wish we could sit down at a table so I could hear your hopes, your dreams, the whispers God’s put in your heart. The aspirations, ambitions, and desires that now feel distant – maybe even impossible. Unheard. Unattended to. Falsely promised. Forgotten.
I wish I could look into your eyes, touch your shoulder, hand you a tissue to wipe your tear-streaked cheek, and tell you how loved you are, how known, loved, destined, and called you are – even on the days you feel anything but.
When you feel lonely or in darkness, I wish I could show you the astonishing light of your own presence.
I wish I could comfort you in telling you I’ve felt just as alone, just as lost, just as broken, just as shallow, just as desperate, just as much of a fraud. I’ve been just as doubtful, while hanging on to a single strand of hope, that only grew thinner & thinner by the day.
Because of that dark and (now) distant place, I will demand of you this:
Don’t.
You.
Ever.
Let.
Go.
Don’t you ever forget the sound of your own laughter, the pulse of your own heart, the heat of your own breath, the vibrancy in your voice, the excitement that permeates your veins in moments of sheer joy. They way you get giddy and goofy and awkward at times that make you feel both dumb and 100% yourself.
Don’t you ever forget the knowledge in your head, the wisdom in your heart, and the gut instinct that bellows from the pit of your stomach.
Don’t you ever wish for the sound, the vision, the vantage point of someone else; or think, “What about me?”
Don’t you ever think, ‘Is this all there is…‘ or ‘I’ve got nothing left to give.’
Don’t you ever stop dreaming. Don’t you ever stop seeking. Don’t you ever stop creating. Don’t you ever stop going after the goals that stimulate you at night when you put your head on the pillow.
Don’t you ever forget why you’re here. In case you have, allow me to remind you:
You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth (Matthew 5:13-16, MSG).
There’s not only a reason and a purpose for your existence – but a God-ordained mission.
Day after day, your exhilarating journey is discovering what, why, & how to carry out that call with vigor, fervency, grace, truth, love, and humility.
Don’t you ever forget it because of a mistake, a past failing, or a piece of you that continues to feel inadequate.
Because the truth of the matter is – you are inadequate. AND, it’s that same inadequacy that also makes you vastly blessed, because the less you believe in your own capability, the more you’ll come to lean on His reliability.
If nothing else, be the best at being good with “the in-between“.
Hold tight to knowing that you are never left in the valley, and you’re never left on the beach staring off at a distant horizon.
You are to boldly get up and swim into the all encompassing ocean of love from a Father in Heaven who will satisfy your every need to know-the-unknown with promises incomprehensible.
“The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.” (Timothy Keller)
Don’t you ever let go of that truth.
Trust in yourself by boldly believing in He who is within you & then seeing His will come to pass.
Dear Reader,
“You are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4). We have this hope as an anchor for the soul – firm & secure.” (Hebrews 6:19)
“He never fails,
He never will.
Our God remains, forever.”
x Kaitlyn
Author’s Note: September is National Suicide Awareness Prevention Month by the National Alliance on Mental Illness. For resources and more info, visit NAMI.org. One conversation can change a life.
Just the right word I needed today! Thank you kaityn!
So awesome, Mallory! I really appreciate you sharing that. Hope it was a great one!