"She believed she could so she did."
Those are the words imprinted on the copper pendant hanging from a necklace I have been wearing all day. A gift from a woman who's lived these words this year...recently finishing her first marathon.
I think I've probably been "spirited" always, partially by DNA and partially by the journey that's been my life. I don't give up easily and once I've spoken something I feel obligated to follow through. People ask me often how I know how to do various things and I always tell them that I just figure it out. Sometimes I watch someone else first, (even youtube sometimes,) sometimes my husband and I tackle things together. I've never really stopped to think why I can/do and why others can't/don't. I really have always believed that nothing is too hard to figure out, I mean if other people can do it, so can I. I have a saying that I can do something 3 times myself (essentially...mess it up twice) so long as I get it right the third time it's still cheaper and FASTER than a contractor! I think the key isn't being confident, the key is letting myself off the hook. Giving myself the "do-over" option has allowed me to give myself the grace needed when I have to do something again. That grace has given me the experience to see that I can figure things out, even when they're new.
I wish every girl and every woman out there came equipped with this message inside of them. (okay the boys/men too - but we women understand how this is a real struggle for us!) I frequently recite Psalm 139:14 to myself when I'm in the middle of a hard run, or when I get stuck on something in a project and start to doubt myself. The verse says, "I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are your works, and that my soul knows very well" That message of confidence, of assurance is so amazing. In spite of how I've been broken and damaged and sinful and judged, my GOD made me in HIS image. He sent his son Jesus...for me. I owe Him all and so I really I can't go through my days crippled and broken. I go through my days believing that I can move beyond anything through grace. Believing that I can work in the messy and broken parts of houses and lives and, in spite of me, God can be glorified in it all.
