photo courtesy of my sweet friend Caroline’s Wedding: All rights belong to Caroline Liegel and Kate Bentley photo
I have never considered myself a writer, in fact as a young girl I often mysteriously contracted a headache or stomachache when it was time to have in class writing. However, I have always loved words and the power they hold. In fact, that is why I believe that as soon as I could read I fell in love with books. The words that told such beautiful stories, touched my heart and had me reaching for more each time. I truly believe in the power of the written word to help connect us to each others stories. Yet, when it came to put pen to paper I always felt queasy. After all those sick writing days, here I sit, typing away because despite my aversion to writing I know that words hold meaning and if we use the right words much healing and hope can flow from them. I write because I have have fallen in love with sharing the story of grace.
For years I sang on Sunday mornings with the praise team. We would practice on Saturday afternoons and then when Sunday morning came we would “perform” our rehearsed set. I say perform because that is what it was to me, my regular Sunday performance. I would get nervous each time that I wouldn’t do the harmony perfect or hit the right notes. All those years I didn’t get the joy I could have by leading worship because it was more about the performance than anything.
I find that scenario so applicable to my daily life. So many times I find the need to perform, to say the right things, to write the perfect words, to take the prettiest picture. And each time I find my soul aches. I want to be the perfect version of me and if I am real that is never going to happen.
There have been so many times I have missed out on opportunities, because of this fear. I didn’t think I would have the right words to say to someone new. I didn’t think I would have the experience that they thought was worthy. Or, I didn’t even have the cutest outfit to impress. So much time has been spent living life as if I was on stage and each scene needed to be more outstanding and applaud worthy than the last.
Let me tell you friends blogging just brings a whole new dimension to that. It would be so easy to sit down and write a post that I thought would get the most views. I would be lying if I said that it hadn’t motivated me before. It would be easy to sit down and write about my favorite outfit or how I decorate my home or my favorite recipes (and let me just say that many people do write about those things and I LOVE those blogs, but that is just not me) That is not my heart and that is not what I feel called to write about. I write because of the words of others that changed my heart. I write to tell my story. I write to share grace.
My life is far from perfect and in fact most days I cringe inside when I hit the publish button because I know a little bit more of my heart will be exposed for the world to see. But when I don’t share my real true self and pretend I live a perfect put together life or when I seek to gain approval or show off my life, than I am missing the message of grace entirely. My life isn’t about pleasing others or gaining applause, even though that is often hard and painful to realize. it is about leaving perfection learning grace.
When I think about the world I can’t help but imagine people who don’t perform but instead live out their passions. I imagine the world filled with writers who write because they can’t imagine not sharing life through words, artists who paint because they believe that art has meaning, singers who sing because they can’t help but fall in love with the sound of music and people who pursue their passions because they have fallen in love with them not because they want a standing ovation and a job well done. That my friends I believe is life well lived.
So if you read my previous blog post than you know I am not about New Year’s Resolutions. However, this is my for my life this year and my prayer for your life as well. May you leave behind the critics and fall deeply and madly in love with your life, your passions and a grace that will change your world.
And may you never forget how loved you are,
Leaving Perfection Learning Grace 
I love reading your posts because they are so genuine, so authentic, so encouraging, and so beautifully and honestly written. To accomplish all that is hard and you do it each time. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings with us!
Oh my friend you have no idea how much that means to me! Thank you thank you for constantly reading and for your encouragement. You are such a gem and I am so grateful to know you! Xo MK
Another absolutely beautiful post. Thank you for sharing. I can relate to this more than you know. It took me about 5-6 months to find my blogging “niche”; about faith, motherhood, womanhood, and once I did, it felt great. I **always** cringe when hitting the publish button too!! Hope to share this one later this week!! xoxo
Sweet Liz! Thank you for constantly reading and your sweet support. Means so much. So grateful that you too get it. So encouraged by you! Xo MK
You are more than welcome! I love your words…what you write is often how I feel, so just knowing someone else going through similar situations and being brave enough to share is amazing…blessings for a beautiful week!! xo
Blogging can sometime be frustrating. I sometimes feel that no one is listening to what I write, but if you ever feel that way, know that we are here!
Thanks so much for your sweet encouragement friend! xo MK
Lovely post. It’s not easy to share with the world your thoughts but being true to yourself never fails. Thanks for the reminder that we are all loved! 🙂
Amen to that! It can be tough at times but so worth it. Thank you for reading!! xo MK
OH you wrote that last line so beautifully!
Thank you friend! xo
Your post definitely get me to think which I love. Your soul comes out and your spirit. I love it. Thank you
Thank you so much for your sweet words and for reading!! xo MK
Wow, you took the words right out of my mouth and heart! It’s almost word for word identical to how I feel about life, passions, sharing and what we all gain from others living from their heart. I loved this, “When I think about the world I can’t help but imagine people who don’t perform but instead live out their passions. I imagine the world filled with writers who write because they can’t imagine not sharing life through words, artists who paint because they believe that art has meaning, singers who sing because they can’t help but fall in love with the sound of music and people who pursue their passions because they have fallen in love with them not because they want a standing ovation and a job well done. That my friends I believe is life well lived.”
Your first paragraph is very much my story as well! Great post!!
You are too sweet and I so appreciate your thoughtful and kind words. So glad it struck something in you and that you could relate! Truly appreciate you reading, means the world! xo MK
I am right with you on everything!! I pour my heart and soul into my blog to help and encourage others but sometimes it doesn’t get received as I would like. Keep writing whats on your heart!
Thank you so much for reading and encouraging!! Xo MK
You spoke some words I have wanted to express. My blog has suffered major neglect because I don’t write so many things that I should have.
Oh thank you sweet friend! It is so so hard to write some things. Much love! Xo MK
May you leave behind the critics and fall deeply and madly in love with your life, your passions and a grace that will change your world.
I need to put that on a frame on my wall! Beautiful post ❤
oh how absolutely kind of you!! SO much love! xo MK