Thankful Series: Day 21 (+Giveaway!)
Earlier this year I talked about checking on the strong women. I read the statement from a friend, one of the strongest people I know, after the celebrity suicides this summer. The thought resonated with me, still does. Enough that I hosted an evening with local strong women to let them know I saw them, I was there for them. I hope to do that again in January.
I don’t apologize anymore for being strong. I have been flat out, down and out, in the valley. I have literally wondered if the pain and heartbreak would kill me. I have endured physical pain, as well as betrayal that shook me to my core. I’ve faced a dying child that I surrendered to God and said if You need to take her, okay. He chose to keep her with us, but that experience transformed my life.
What do I feel insecure about? When I’m struggling. I don’t know why, because strong people aren’t invincible. When I hosted that event, I confessed straight up I was hurting. Angry. Unsure. And although there have been moments where the faith surges and God confidence reigns, there are also times where the fight to stay above water feels impossible. Expressing that is something I feel I’m not supposed to do. But the waters continue to threaten.
Recently I was at a conference and although I’m still trying to process a lot of it, one message I received loud and clear is one I’m thankful for.
I’m enough.
When I spend the day alone, writing, and the nights are just as lonely because people are going separate ways, I’m enough.
When I say the wrong thing, do a stupid thing, and I’m called on it, I’m enough.
When I repent and shame tries to creep in, I’m enough.
When menopause and hormones play games at my expense, I’m enough.
When confidence plummets and rejection reigns, I’m enough.
You know what else I’m thankful for?
You’re enough, too.
All this month I will be watching on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and my new subscribers for my monthly-0r-so newsletter. If you tag me @JulieArduini and tell me you’re #thankful or #juliearduinithankful, I’ll enter your name to win a copy of my fiction books. This includes Entrusted, Entangled, Engaged, You’re Beautiful and the boxed set of A Christmas to Remember (only available as eBook.)
If you live in the United States, you have the choice, if you are the one winner randomly chosen, of print (except A Christmas to Remember,) or eBook. If you are outside of the US, it is automatically eBook.
I’ll add your name once a day for each shout out I receive (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, plus one total entry if you are a new subscriber to my newsletter.) You may or may not receive confirmation from me for those entries, and my random draw is final. If winner doesn’t respond after 30 days, I will choose another. I’m thankful for you.
