Sunday Meditations – Accepted
Do you ever feel like you don’t fit in with a certain group of people? Like, maybe you aren’t good enough?
If you are a blogger…have you ever feel like a nobody?
Have you ever felt like the oddball out with a certain group of friends or family?
Guess what? You’re not alone.
I’ve been there. Many have been there. Some of us are still there.
At this point in my life…
- I’m just a little older than the single college kids and just a little younger than the 30-somethings with elementary school kids. {don’t really fit in}
- I have struggled at times with feeling like a nobody in my little corner of the blogosphere…but it’s getting better. 🙂 I’d rather be a truly happy nobody than an unhappy somebody.
- There are certain groups of people with which I don’t really “fit in.” I sense it and I wonder if they sense it too.
It’s hard finding my place. Really hard.
But I have a secret. Two actually.
The first…
To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. Ephesians 1:6
God accepts me for the glory of His grace. I AM accepted in Him.
Nothing – no circumstance, no heartache, no sin – nothing can remove that acceptance.
The second secret…
My momma taught me to be friendly to everyone. It’s not a hard concept, but sometimes it’s hard to live out.
But it works. I’ve watched my Mom live it. I’m learning to live it.
Ultimately, we will let ourselves down and others will let us down, but Christ’s love and acceptance will never, ever let us down.
I am accepted! You are accepted!
Let’s revel in the amazing acceptance that we have in Him!
“In the Beloved,” God’s marvelous grace
Calls me to dwell in this wonderful place;
God sees my Savior, and then He sees me,
“In the Beloved,” accepted and free.
Do you ever struggle with feeling unaccepted?
I struggle with this ALL.THE.TIME! You aren’t alone!
Cherie´s last blog post ..Dont Trust Those Eyes
Thank you Cherie! We are all in this together. 🙂
All. The. Time. But I am learning that my identity is in Christ and nothing else matters. Still hurts sometimes, but I’m getting there.
Amy Nabors´s last blog post ..Empty of Desire
Amy, I love that…”my identity is in Christ.” YES! My thoughts exactly. And I totally agree…the hurt is hard, but with it comes progress and healing. 🙂
Really great post Myra. Our pastor just did a sermon on remembering our identity is in Christ using the first chapter of Ephesians. Apparently someone is trying to tell me something 😉
The Diaper Diaries´s last blog post ..My New Favorite
Aww, thanks Jill! I think finding our security in Christ is a life-long venture…we won’t ever arrive until eternity. 🙂
Myra, yes … I know exactly what you mean. I often find myself realizing how small my blog is and wondering if what I’m doing is significant at all. I’ve been reminded lately that I *am* small … and I need to be even smaller. I find myself praying, in the words of John the Baptist, that I must decrease and He must increase. And, if at the end of it all, nothing in me is visible for the greatness of Him … that is my aim.
Thank you TL! Wonderful thoughts! 🙂
Amen, Sister!
Just found your blog a few days ago through “Money Saving Mom”…LOVE it LOVE you!
Blessings
🙂
Thank you Shannon! That means so much! 🙂
Wow, talk about timely! I’ve been struggling with this all week. It’s seems I don’t fit in anywhere except with Him.
Ya know, girl….fitting in with Him is the best place to be. ((hugs))
I’m with you! I fit in right there with you being older than the college group but still under thirty. I have a 2 yr. old and a 10 week old. I’m a stay-at-home mom. Sometimes I doubt the importance or significance of what I do. Then the Lord reminds me of Titus 2:4-5. He’s called me to love my husband and children and be busy at home (among many other things!). I am so thankful that my worth and the worth of what I do comes from Him! Just found your blog a couple of weeks ago. Love it! By the way, made the hurricane vases for my fall decor. They look so good!
Thank you Jennifer for your comment. It’s so good to realize that we are not alone, but we all feel “insecure” or unaccepted at different times in our lives. And I’m thrilled that you made the hurricane vases! 🙂
“I’d rather be a truly happy nobody than an unhappy somebody.” I’m chanting this now…it’s helping. 🙂
Marisa´s last blog post ..roasted chickpeas garbanzos
Marisa, I’m chanting with you. 🙂 ((hugs))
I have struggled with this for the past few years! I am in the same age range as you. It has been especially hard since I got married. I moved away from everything I knew, family and friends. I stay at home with my 17 month old daughter. I have only had church to meet people. We are currently searching for a church and everyone has no one that we feel like we fit in with. Maybe God is trying to teach me just this…and what a painful lesson! Thank you!
Erin, thank you for your comment! I just prayed for you, that God will lead you and your family to the place where you will be embraced by His people. 🙂
Myra, I just love this!! I was just telling a friend today, how badly I want my children to be “a friend to all” … to be the ones that are friends with everyone. I love how my son (kindergarten) still says “they are all my best friends” when I ask him who is best friend at school is. It warms my heart!!
Thanks for this wondering message…blessings to you my friend!!
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Love it KeriLyn! Thank you for your sweet comment! 🙂
That’s me, too.
And I’m 35.
Thanks for your comment! I think it’s a life long venture. 🙂
I’m with you too, Myra. I’ve lived all over the country and have yet to find my “niche”… I get along well with everyone, but never seem to feel that sense of “belonging”. Does that make sense? I’m older than you (early 30’s) but in my little corner of CT that makes me a very young mommy with 3 kids, indeed. I struggle with this… and the fact that I have a “tiny” blog that’s read by some “big-name” bloggers. It confuses me. But, in the end, what does any of it matter? GREAT post! This touches my heart so much.
JessieLeigh´s last blog post ..A Little Help From Lawrys
Awww, Jessie Leigh. Kindred spirits we are. Love and hugs to you today!
Oh yes… I know we all have at some point in our lives! I still do at times but the older I get, the less I care about “here” and the more I care about having an eternal perspective and being what He wants me to be to the people He places in my life to minister to and learn from. God is faithful! and He accepts us as we are and loves us unconditionally!
Jenilee´s last blog post ..I love my girls Can you tell
Thank you Jenilee for your wonderful, uplifting comment. I’m in wholehearted agreement with you! 🙂
I enjoyed your writings this morning. It is a blessing to see that the Lord is pointing you in the right direction with his word. I know when I was younger I cared a lot more about what people thought but the older I get in life and in the Lord I realize the only two people I must please in this life is #1 The Lord and #2 My husband. Those are the only two I will stand accountable with before the Lord when this life is all said and done!
I find the more I just try to please the Lord the less it weighs on me to fit in with people. God says If our ways please the Lord even our enemies will be at peace with us. Prov. 16:7 God blesses our relationships with others the more we chose to please him with our lives.
You keep doing what God wants you to do with your life and the peace of God that passes all understanding shall keep your heart and mind through Christ Jesus!
Bless you and your day today!
~Rebecca~
mommiesgotfivechildren at hotmail dot com
Rebecca´s last blog post ..Check out my friends site!
Thank you Rebecca, that means so much! 🙂
Wow. Great to read this and the comments. I struggle with this a lot. A lot.
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Thank you Rikki for your comment! I’m so encouraged by reading everyone’s input. I think honestly, that MOST women struggle with this….even those that seem confident and are “popular.” Deep down, it’s an everyday battle. Be blessed today, girl!
Thanks for sharing your heart, Myra. I struggle with this SO often. I’m a Christian who blogs, but as I’m not yet a mom and don’t intend to homeschool when I am a mom, the niche for me is teeny. But you hang in there, and we will figure it out. I saw a mug the other day that said, “Just be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.” Loved that thought! And thanks Jesus that we all have our perfect niche with YOU!
Anna, I LOVE the quote, “Just be yourself, Everyone else is already taken.” Thank you for that! 🙂
I was encouraged by this today, and really needed it. Thank you!
I’m so blessed that my heartfelt words resonated with your heart. Sweet blessings to you today. 🙂
Wow! This post and the comments following were so good for me to read! Apparently I’m not the only one who feels like I just don’t fit…at church, playgroup, blogging, etc. But I needed the reminder that I am accepted by God. Thank you!
Amy, seriously, the comments on this post have been amazing! It’s really opening my eyes to see that probably every single woman struggles with feeling accepted at one time or another. Hugs and blessings to you today! 🙂
Thank you for this beautiful post Myra! You always touch my heart with your kind words and THAT is what the body of Christ is all about – living out a life of belonging in Christ! You, my friend, are SO lovely!
Erin M.´s last blog post ..Reflecting and Revamping…
Thank you Erin! I couldn’t agree more…it is what the body of Christ is all about. 🙂 See you SOON! 🙂
me too. my whole life.
thanks for posting scripture that helps!!
I feel the exact.same.way often! I am glad to hear that I am not alone. I think I knew it deep down but it helps “hearing” it from someone else!
Great post and thanks for the encouragment!
Shelley´s last blog post ..Split Rock & Duluth
Thank you Shelley for your sweet, heartfelt comment. We are in this together! 🙂
I was actually feeling this exact same way the other day, and my wise hubby reminded me of one of Abe Lincoln’s quotes…”God must love the common man, He’s made so many of them” I’m so thankful that He has a plan, purpose, and design for this “common girl” even if I don’t fit in or seem to be doing AMAZING things!! =) He is using you, believe me and I can’t WAIT to meet you in 18 days!!
Rachel´s last blog post ..Sundays Song
Squeeee! 🙂 Can’t wait to meet you and give you a giant hug! Love the quote! 🙂
Thank you for sharing this. I really needed it today (o.k., I really need it everyday!) 😉 Love your blog–so glad that you are ‘here’!
Angie´s last blog post ..Tasty Tuesday-Impossibly Easy Chicken ‘n Broccoli Pie
I need it every day too. I’m glad I’m here and that you’re here too. It’s a wonderful place to be! 🙂
I’ve spent most of my life feeling that way. I think one reason is I am not of this world, but the other is the deceiver wants to separate us because there is power in the body of Christ when we are together in one accord. If he can make us believe we are the odd part of the body and separate us from others the body is weakened.
Also, I have found that some of my best friends are ones who are in different stages of life than the where one I am. There is much to learn from those older than me, and also those who are younger.
You are so right, though, our real acceptance, is with the One who made us just as we are and appreciates our uniqueness. Great post!
Mindy´s last blog post ..Adventures with Belle
Amen Mindy. Your comment totally resonates with me. Thank you! 🙂
This is a great message and one that can encourage many! Blessings to you!
Thank you Lisa! That means so much! 🙂
Thanks for lifting our eyes up Christ once more. It’s a blessing 🙂
Due to moving with my husband’s job, loneliness and I are no stranger, but I’ve come to see it as a great mercy from the Lord rather than something to dread. When I remember that our Savior didn’t “fit” either—He was “despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. We hid our faces from Him”—I realize that through these tough times I can learn something of Him that I wouldn’t have known any other way.
It also has given me a heart for other lonely people, and I’ve come to realize the world is full of them, especially in my area where most people have come to for work. Wherever I’m able to meet others, I ask the Lord to give me eyes and ears to see and listen to other lonely people.
And I’ve made some lovely friends this way! One place we lived, my dearest friend was a a sweet elderly lady. We were two lonely souls who enjoyed each other’s company immensely. It taught me that though I really enjoy meeting people in my same life stage, what really matters is the presence and love of Christ to build a friendship on.
And when we are in glory? There will be no loneliness, not “fitting in,” or not feeling accepted. What a eternity that will be with our Savior and a heaven-full of brothers and sisters to fellowship with forever!
Thank you for your comment Grace…you are an inspiration! 🙂