A Thrift Store Heart

Sharing isn't something I had to consciously teach my four girls. They have dressed in hand-me-downs and joint property from the first possible day. As we shift clothes, accessories and shoes from one body to the next, my family is a living thrift store. 

It's no wonder we all like the song Thrift Shop. The lyrics (even the cleaned up ones) are too mature for any of us but some of the one-liners get sung frequently as we go about town. At the top of our playlist is, "I look incredible."

I heard my younger ones singing this line in the backseat recently. One started, "I look

incredible." 

To which the other, named Carynne, answered, "I look Carynne-able."

To my youngest this is the highest compliment. She wants to be exactly who and what God created her to be. She is sure of herself. 

Every person encounters opportunity accompanied by insecurity. If we give voice to our insecurity, we will hear - 

"I can't."

"I'm not equipped."

"I'm not enough."

This is thrift store thinking. Instead, God wants to fill my thrift store heart with the depths of His boutique truth. 

"He can."

"He equips."

"He is enough for me."

What is insecurity whispering into your heart today? Could you dare to take your thrift store thinking and make a free exchange up to boutique God-sized love? 
_______________________

Did you know that Shannon is currently booking her speaking calendar for summer and fall? Contact her today to speak at your event. 

Day 10 of Prayer Guide - Confidence for Your Body

Day Ten

Confidence for Your Body

Psalm 45:11 The King is enthralled by your beauty

Am I defined by a number? The one who stares back from the scale taunts me. The one I push at the gym mocks me. Both beckon to by-gone days when the numbers were different – lower, higher, a source of pride.

Weak one, come experience confidence for your body.

Today I Pray for You:

·         To soak in the unconditional love of the One who shapes you.

·         To push through the fog of numbers and see clearly the One who is enthralled.

Today You Pray:

Strong God, I am a reflection of Your beauty. I am a reservoir of Your strength. The numbers cannot define me because You’ve already made Your declaration. I find favor in Your eyes.

Allow this truth to flush through my body, undress my insecurity and clothe me with Your vast love. I stand in front of the full length mirror of Your devotion and see the reflection of the King.

A Confident Heart

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

How do the mornings slip by so quick? Clara wasn't late to school but she wasn't exactly early either. Getting your kids to school early is the mark of a well-organized, thoughtful mother, right? My heart began to taunt me.

If you were a good mom you'd never have trouble getting to school on time.

Clara's teacher has you figured now.  You can't fool her into thinking you're a good mom. 

You should get an "F" on your daily mom report card.

God's truth pierced my thoughts.

Shannon, your heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure (Jeremiah 17:9)

Shannon, I the LORD search your heart and examine your mind (Jeremiah 17:10)

Shannon, I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. (Jeremiah 31:3)

Jesus, thank you for helping me recognize the downward spiral of my thoughts this morning.  You broke through and turned the spiral upside down and back up to You.  In You, I find refuge.  In You, I draw strength.  In You, I grow a confident heart.

I am reading A Confident Heart by Renee Swope.  In her book, Renee shares the key to casting off insecurity.  My thoughts determine my actions.  I must replace my doubts with God's truth. 

I am only in the second chapter of this book, but already it is having a profound impact on my thought life.  I was immediately able to recognize these thoughts, reject them and replace them with God's truth.  Those of you who read my blog daily know I have never recommended a book other than God's Word.  Self-doubt is common to the human condition.  We are all subject to its' deceptive grasp.  Let's read Renee's book together and confidently stride into God's best for our lives.

Do you struggle with doubts or insecurities?  What are some of your favorite ways you counteract those negative thoughts?