He's not finished with me yet. . .

Have you ever felt like there were struggles in your life that you could just never defeat? I have my own little list of issues. . . =) I've always been a talker - I remember my dad joking with me when he dropped me off at sleepovers as a kid, "And remember to let your friends talk too, Erin." The problem is that when such a large quantity of words continually comes out of your mouth you can bet that some of them would have been better left unsaid.

Add to my insatiable desire to talk an overwhelming sense of insecurity, and you have a perfect breeding ground for gossip!! arg. . . I have this vivid and ugly memory of the first time I was gossiping about a friend and then turned around to realize that she was right behind me. You would think that those kinds of experiences would teach you to keep your mouth shut, right? Well, somehow I keep having to learn that lesson over and over again. This is definitely one area where I have often felt like I would never be able to change. . .

But God is good girls - and what we see as impossible is often exactly what God wants to do!! A few months back a friend entrusted me with some very sensitive and private information that I was not to share with anyone. Now, its not like I would have immediately gone and told everyone I know. . . but honestly, over time I would have found excuses to share the exciting news (like, oh she doesn't even know this person - I can certainly tell them). But guess what - I truly didn't share with anyone!! Now I have this wonderful example of how truly freeing it is when we choose to live by God's standards. He wants us to be faithful friends, speaking only words that would lift up and encourage. And when we do that - the rewards are huge!!

It might have taken 28 long years to make any progress in this area, and I am certain that He's got lots more lessons in store, but it is SO exciting and encouraging to see that even now I can grow, change, and day by day reflect more and more of the love of my Savior.

It makes me think of this fabulous song by Brandon Heath,

"There is hope for me yet, because God won't forget, all the plans He's made for
me - I'll have to wait and see. . . He's not finished with me yet."

Praise God that He continues to help us even after we've failed a thousand times. I don't know what your struggle is, but I pray that you know He can work in your heart and change you!! There is no greater freedom and joy than truly living as God intended for you to live. Entrust your struggles to Him today - and when the opportunity comes for you to be faithful - don't let ANYTHING get in your way!!

"So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the
outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where
God is making new life, not a day goes by without His unfolding grace."
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (the message)