If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
James 1:5
In March of this year, I participated in a retreat coaching certification course. The group of women being certified with me were of various ages and backgrounds. Refreshingly different in an organic kind of way. Our leader was, and is, incredibly grounded in who she is and what she brings to her world.
She helped me own a truth that had been trying to impress itself on my heart for many years. It was a truth I didn’t feel competent enough to receive. It sounded cocky or as though I was making myself more than I should. But the truth is the truth whether we choose to receive it or not.
I am wise.
This was recently reinforced. Early on a Friday morning, one of my best friends called. We talked for a while and she said something (as she always does) that made an immediate impression. We were talking about our daughters and how the paths they are walking are so similar to our own. And not always in a good way.
Then my friend reminded me of this truth. We walk through all our pain and mistakes and victories to make us wise. Not to lord it over others, but to share our journeys with our daughters and others so they don’t feel alone on theirs. Or better yet, don’t fall into the same traps we did.
photo credit c. corenblum
The discipline we endure, the life lessons we repeat until we get them right, the pain of rejection – all of that has purpose. It makes us wise. However, what sharing our hard-earned wisdom requires is transparency and vulnerability. And that is so hard. Sharing requires us to risk taking off our masks and showing others our scars and imperfections.
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who’ve been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11
But we must share because we are blessed to be a blessing to others. And all our trials, trauma and setbacks are blessings just as surely as our victories, leaps forward, and dreams come true. God uses all of who we are to make us everything He wants us to be. I believe His reason for doing this is so that we can share with others how He brought us from darkness to light. Then, we can help light their path to God.
And we know God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose for him. Romans 8:28
When God calls on you to share your story – your wisdom – wisely choose to obey. Don’t worry about the outcome or what response you will get. He will be faithful to use your obedience for His glory. You will find it was worth the risk.
Because you are what God says that you are! You are enough!
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Hey there friend! Andrea McCaskey here. I believe everything happens for a reason, life is meant to be lived in relationship with others and there is beauty to be found everywhere if we look. I am a friend of God, wife of Jamal and mother of Brandon and Madison.
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Feature Image Photo by Doug Swinson on Unsplash
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