This week...

I've been feeling pretty lonely lately. An opportunity presented itself a few days ago and it has me thinking a lot about my future and what i want. I am in that, "I need approval and affirmation mind set that I find myself in every once in awhile", which then turns into a frustration with self, followed by a laundry list of all the things I want to do better, fix, and if I could fix I maybe wouldn't feel how I am feeling. What's frustrating is how I know this all to familiar pattern and somehow I let the thoughts in my head go way too far. I then begin to look inward rather than look up. That is when I ran into a post from a fb friend that spoke to me. I'll probably post it around my office cubicle for days like this. Days where the loneliness and feeling unseen weighs heavy and life seems sub par. Sub par in the sense that I feel I am not living my best life and there is more ahead than what is right in front of me. Yet, even if that is true, I know God wants me to focus on today, but that's hard to do when you have deadlines and demands that require you to take steps today. Anyways, this is what the post read.

I want you to experience the riches of your salvation: the Joy of being loved constantly and perfectly. You make a practice of judging yourself, based on how you look or behave or feel. If you like what you see in the mirror, you feel a bit more worthy of My Love. When things are going smoothly and your performance seems adequate, you find it easier to believe you are My beloved child. When you feel discouraged, you tend to look inward so you can correct whatever is wrong. Instead of trying to "fix" yourself, fix your gaze on Me, the Lover of your soul. Rather than using your energy to judge yourself, redirect it to praising Me. Remember that I see you clothed in My righteousness, radiant in My perfect Love." 
​- Sarah Young

Lord help me to fix my eyes on you. To look up rather than within. To live open rather than closed. To find liberty in looking up and knowing you are guiding my steps today and everyday and that I am enough.

Amen.