Do you ever just feel…overwhelmed by all the things you’re supposed to be?
Kind.
Generous.
Selfless.
Disciplined.
Loyal.
And the list goes on and on…and on.
But you know the cool thing about God?
First, He understands that we aren’t perfect. And He forgives us when we are mean, ungenerous, selfish, undisciplined, and disloyal.
And the next cool thing…He doesn’t expect us to go it alone. Blind.
No, instead, He gives us examples to live by.
Jesus used parables to illustrate His points, to show what we should do in certain situations. To show the power of God to transform lives. To transform us.
And in our everyday lives, He gives us people who speak truth just by the very way they live.
I’m so incredibly blessed to have so many amazing people in my life who are examples of Jesus to me. Yeah, they aren’t perfect either, but they’ve allowed the Lord to work in and through them–and that inspires me to no end.
I had a fabulous mother and have an awesome mother-in-law and stepmom, all who have loved their children with everything in them. They give and serve tirelessly. It’s the kind of mom I hope to be someday.
I thank the Lord I know what a good mother looks like, because of them.
I have a mentor, an older woman in the faith who comes alongside me and encourages me specifically in my marriage. She reminds me over and over that my marriage should be a higher priority than my work and my writing–than anything but my relationship with God. And she not only encourages me, but she lives it out in her own marriage.
I thank the Lord I know what a good wife looks like, because of her.
I have a friend who is just so generous. Despite having little kids that keep her on her toes and constantly busy, she has brought me meals when I’m overwhelmed. She’s prayed for me and called me out when I needed it and encouraged me in really tough times. She’s always there if I need her.
I thank the Lord I know what a good friend looks like, because of her (and many others I’m blessed to know).
My life wouldn’t be the same without these amazing examples in my life. I’m a visual learner, so when I see someone living out the Lord’s love, day in and day out, constant, true–I’M blessed, because I know how I should be.
Your Turn: What kind of examples are you grateful for–do you bless the Lord for–in your own life?
What a blessing it is to have all those godly examples, Lindsay!
I'm very grateful for an aunt who has walked the path with Jesus a lot longer than I have. It's wonderful to have someone in my family who can encourage me in my faith.
Your praise for your own mother, mother-in-law, and stepmother, has encouraged me this morning in my own walk as a mother. Thank you!
I'm so glad it's encouraged you, Heidi. That's so awesome you had an aunt who has come alongside you and been such a good example!
I am beyond blessed by my church, specifically our senior pastor, to have an example of how to live out my daily walk with Christ. And I am blessed too by my parents, how much they love each other and God, what an incredible example they've been in so many ways!
I have an amazing senior pastor too. I love that he speaks the truth and isn't afraid to preach it! 🙂
I'm thankful for many people, but I'll share about my dad. He's not my biological father, THAT guy ran away when life got too hard. My daddy married my mom when I was 13. He took on a divorcee and 3 kids when almost everyone he knew told him we were a mistake. He adopted us and gave us his name. He endured my brother's troubles and walked me down the aisle when I got married. He stood in the gap for my mom when her crazy (ohhhhh, boy, do I mean CRAZY)family went ballistic on her for marrying, and I quote "a rag headed Jesus freak". Nice eh?
I know what a good father is, because My heavenly Father gave me my dad.
Oh, Jennifer. I love your story. I hate the first part, the pain that you had to go through. But I love how God redeemed it, and through it, gave you such an awesome example of His love in human form.
Might sound kind of out there, but I'm grateful for nature–the colors, the miracles. Shows me his power, creativity, wisdom, etc.
~ Wendy
I love seeing His hand prints in nature!
My mom and dad, absolutely. They're the best and my hope is always that, as a person, I can basically be a mix of the two of them. 🙂 My grandma and grandpa, too. I'm so grateful for the legacy of faith they've built into their family.
Sounds like you have an awesome legacy. I just think about how blessed I am to have parents and family who believe the same thing as me. That would be so tough to have everyone you love disagree with the thing you are most passionate about, wouldn't it?
I'm grateful for the tangible expression of love and compassion via hugs from my loved ones!
I've been delinquent in commenting over here, but I just want to say YOWZA on your new look! What a great update, filled with personality and warmth!
I am a huge hugger!!
And thanks, Barb! I've missed you, and I hope all is well.
I'm thankful for my mom too…she's a great example of support. My dad, who I know I can call if I need too. My husband who I can be snarky with and never feel guilty for it. LOL
Haha, I love when we can be snarky and our loved ones understand that it's all meant in love.
It's easy to feel overwhelmed by all that we're supposed to be … until we stand in the finished work of Christ. Sometimes I forget that in the hustle and bustle, but when I remember, it sure takes quite a load off! I'm grateful for my best friend and my worship pastor. They live such beautifully surrendered lives to God's calling in their lives. Their example spurs me on to rest in Him and let Him shine.
Surrender…THAT'S the word I want to describe my life.
Thank you, Donna, for YOUR example to me. You are such a strong woman of God and I can tell you love Him very, very much.
Praise God for godly women! I have one in my life (well more than one, but…) that models grace and perseverance. Please pray for her. They found a cancerous lump.
Oh, friend! 🙁 That's awful. Prayer lifted.
My beloved mother-in-law was a wonderful woman who had more "best friends" than anyone I've ever met. She gave of herself freely, loving and encouraging others, including me. I was blessed by her big time.
That's totally how my mom was as well. 🙂 So glad you had her in your life and experienced such a blessing.
This is so awesome, Lindsay. My nanny was an amazing role model in walking with the Lord. I have several others who have been such a blessing to me.
You had a nanny? That's awesome! 🙂 Hehe.
I'm so glad you have so many blessings in your life.
Lindsay, I love how you're always encouraging us to look for blessings in our lives. Lately I'm super thankful for my oldest daughter. She's understanding and forgiving and always willing to help me out, especially when I don't know I need it. LOVE her!
I'm not a mom yet, but I've heard that parenting is a lesson in humility, especially when your child teaches YOU something.
I'm grateful for older women and my Bible study teachers who have a heart to lead and love on other women. So, so necessary…and uplifting!! 🙂
I know! Where would we be without them?
You are so blessed, Lindsay.
It's easy to get caught up in the negative aspects of life if we don't count our blessings. Great reminder!
Isn't it, though? That's why I started this whole "Bless the Lord" series…because I find it so much easier to focus on the hard things, the negative things, than all the many, many awesome things in my life.
I'm so thankful for women who are farther down the road than me — not just in writing but in life — who share what God has taught them. Sometimes it's nice just to see that my current stage of life is survivable. 🙂
Yes, Sarah!! I am totally on board with that sentiment. It really helped me to get through grad school when I talked with a mentor who had been there, done that.
I'm so thankful for the Godly influence of my grandmother who planted those seeds when I was very little. I'm so thankful for my mom who is a testament to God's daily grace. I'm so thankful for a couple of ladies in my church and in my writing tribe who worship with such joy and abandon.
I'm so, so grateful I was raised in a Christian home. And to see others worship…that inspires me.
I'm thankful for each new season in my life, Lindsay, even the tough stuff. I think about the winters of our lives and imagine our roots shooting down, down, down into the solid earth, knowing that when the sun shines again, we'll be that much stronger and more stable and able to withstand whatever comes our way.
Great post – reminding us to NOTICE His goodness.
Blessings,
Becky
I like that…He's already GIVEN us good things. We choose whether we dwell on them or not.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Lindsay. I feel as though I have fallen short but I keep praying to Christ for direction still as a parent. As for mentors in my life, there have been different people at different periods. I must say most recently, a friend I reconnected with before she passed away has made a big impact on my life. She made a big impact on many lives. Ida radiated Godliness in a beautiful, nonthreatening way. I say nonthreatening, because there are people who become very uncomfortable when someone speaks about their faith. When Ida spoke, no one turned away. The opposite happened. They were drawn to her.
I enjoy your posts, Lindsay. They are wonderful and insightful. Thanks for the work you put into them all the time. I love you Honey.
Thank you for the reminder to be grateful for the examples in my life … the people in my life who spur me on. I don't have to guess at what a fulfilling, godly, "right" life looks like. I just have to look around me — and see who is walking life out in a "right" manner, worthy of the Lord. And then follow in their footsteps.