Rejection

  I've been thinking a lot about rejection and people who get rejected at the hands of the church. I read an article about people going to Pride rallies to give out “mom-hugs” or “dad-hugs” for those whose families had cast them out. And the response to this gesture of kindness was that so many men and women came over to get hugs. They just needed to know they were loved and be told that someone accepted them as they are. It breaks my heart that parents and family members and churches can reject others so cruelly, and I know the pain of being rejected, because I have experienced it first hand. I, myself, was kicked out of a church at the age of seventeen when I became pregnant. I was told by people that they could no longer speak to me, and I couldn't come to their houses. Believe me, I know exactly what religious hate looks like, and I have lived through it. But I came across a verse today that speaks specifically to those in that situation. It says this, “Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.” (Psalm 27:10)

I want to remind you today that if people have kicked you out, thrown you away, or given up on you, God has not. He is still waiting with open arms. He doesn't ask you to clean up your act or do everything perfect before you come to Him. He just wants you, as you are, so He can walk through this journey of life with you and help you become all you were created to be.

Do not let religious people's opinions give you the wrong impression of God. Yes, God is holy, and yes, He wants us to do what is right, but He also gives us grace. There is not one person in this world who does everything perfect. (Romans 3:10) Not one of us could have a relationship with God without His grace covering us and allowing us to grow and get better along the way. So, friend, if someone has told you that you aren't worthy or don't deserve love, don't believe that lie for a second. There is a God who loves you and died for you just as you are. (Romans 5:8) Don't be misled or confused by the words and actions of hateful people who claim to be from God. God is love, and His people should be also. (1 John 4:7-11) Rest today in the knowledge that you are special and valuable to the One who made you.

With love,

K.W.

Perfection

Hey friends!

  I read an interesting quote the other day, and to be honest with you, I cannot remember where I read it at, so I want to apologize to the author who I am borrowing it from, and when I find the reference I will be sure to include it.  The quote went something like this, "Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly."
  At first after I read this I was a bit taken aback.  I thought, why would someone encourage people to do less than their best?  But then it hit me... that's just it!  Sometimes we get so stuck inside our heads about trying to do things perfectly that we neglect to start at all.
  Sometimes we gaze about the chaos that is our life and think, if only I had the perfect house, and body, and job, and money, and kids, and on and on and on.  When really all that is needed is to just make an attempt to do those things, even if we know they wont turn out perfectly.  It's ok to just pick up the house and clear the clutter without making it mother-in-law ready this week, or next week, or maybe not even this year (if you're me).  It's also ok to accept that you aren't where you want to be in life yet, but you can just enjoy the place where you are at, imperfections and all.
  I was talking to someone the other day who made the statement, "I just feel like I'm not a very good Christian because I say bad words and don't always act the way I should."  And the thing I told her was this, "God doesn't accept us because we are perfect.  He accepts us because we're not, and then He helps us get better."  You see, perfection isn't a point we arrive at anywhere on this side of Heaven, and it's definitely not a point that any of us start from.  And I think if we keep that in mind we will all be a little less harsh on others and on ourselves.
  Give yourself permission to just start this week, and let yourself be ok with not doing everything perfect.  Unless you're performing neurosurgery, you probably don't need to be perfect anyway.
Just make the attempt, and you'll be better off for it.  I can't wait to see you succeed.

~K.W.