It’s not, but I know how it reads. 😉

The other night I met Jenny.

Jenny said I was different somehow.

Jenny said she was baring her soul and she’d just met me.

She said there’s just something about me.

I was meant for something big.

She said I was a good person. I had a good heart, a good soul. 

She said I. Was. Good.

(She could have been talking to you, Love. Claim it. <3 )

Jenny gave me a verbal reaction that I so often only see in people reading. Immediate feedback; a barometer check on how well I’m staying on task in my sole purpose of loving well.

Most don’t know how to do that, nor do they feel comfortable doing so.

I don’t know how her words will manifest, although it excites me that these things I so desperately want to feel about myself could be (are, claiming it!) true. Regardless, I was encouraged. She felt like a mirror image of me, actively reflecting what I hope I shine when I interact, with anyone. 

I’d met another encourager. It felt WEIRD. Good weird though, I think.  I squirmed, I’ll admit. But, I also received. I  told her it was mutual. Somehow she saw me and knew I was a safe place. Inversely, God pointedly showed me how hard it is to receive praise, even when I am so open; even though I so freely give positive feedback myself. Encouragement I know I’m starved for…I get it, and I squirm?

I’m getting better at it, PTL.

How much harder for someone with no capacity to receive love or praise because they’ve not experienced it before, not really. Some truly have no real concept of safety, having never experienced healthy relationship.  Some will think it has to be artificial.  So what?  Continue to love, and receive love, authentically.  What they think is none of your business and your consistency will win them over.

Boundary up, because not everyone will receive your encouragement well. But compassion up too, because if it’s hard for us who know (at least in our minds) we are cherished, how hard is it for someone who doesn’t really know they’re amazing?

Love gently, love well, my friends. <3

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.  -Matthew 5:16