Guest Post - The News from LaFuze

 Today, I have one of my bestest blogger buddies for you. Jamie, I was so excited to meet when we both went to the So-Cal blogger meet-up back in February. It was her and Katie that I was most looking forward to meeting. We have hung out twice since then and I ca honestly say she is one of the sweetest girls I have ever met. Plus as a Christian, we have that connection there already, which easil surpasses any blogging connection we could make.

I honestly wish Sean and I lived closer to her and her husband, also we would run together a lot and watch the Padres frequently.

Take it away Jamie and thanks for helping keep my blog alive while we are tramping through the East Coast.

Hi Henning Love readers!  First, I have to say that I am head over heels excited to be guest posting for Meg.  I have been truly blessed by not only her blog but getting to know her as a friend.  I blog over at The News From LaFuze, my own little space to be myself-a beautiful mess.  My blog is a potpourri of everything, from faith to recipes to tips on staying healthy.

Today I wanted to share something from the heart that completely speaks to me and that is a continual process: being confidant.  Earlier this year I set some goals, and they all centered around loving myself more and stressing less.  As I've ventured down this path to a beautiful me, I realized that I'm not alone.  I had the privilege of spending a Friday night with Meg at a craft fair and dinner, and we even talked about how easy it is to compare ourselves with the other great blogs we are surrounded by.  As women, I think we naturally compare ourselves.  But this does more harm than good, at least for me.

I would constantly tell myself I'm not good enough, doubt my ability, and felt the need for other's acceptance to fill me up and make me whole.  I let this need for other's acceptance drive my life choices, making me an over achiever.  What I realized, the hard way, was that I placed what I thought others expected of me above all else-and I was left feeling numb inside, now knowing who I was.  I wanted to be and do everything-the teacher, wife, blogger, crafter, baker, healthy, runner....the list could go on.  I was so stressed all of the time, but more importantly I didn't believe in myself and found myself constantly comparing myself to others.

Fortunately I found a book that has completely helped me transform my heart:

As I read the book I was thinking, "How does she know me so well!".  Every chapter connected to me.  I'm normally not one to read lots of self-help books, but I can't put this one down!  I wanted to leave you with 5 truths that I've learned from this book that have completely rocked me:

1. Doubt and hope cannot live in our hearts at the same time.

We have to know and believe that God can and will change us.  By doubting ourselves or even doubting God, we leave no room for hope for this transformation.

2. "Jesus is the only One who can meet our deepest needs to be accepted and delighted in simply because of who we are.  We can offer nothing but our presence.."

This was hard for me to swallow.  Umm...I'm a people pleaser!  But I wrote this down and posted it on my bathroom mirror to remind myself everyday-God accepts me for ME!

3. "You've been trying to earn your value in everything you've done.  But you will never find the love you long for in anyone or anything but ME. I AM the unconditional love you are looking for."

This is a truth from God.  I realized that I was seeking validation in so many areas of my life: my job, marriage, friendships, blogging, church, etc.  But I wasn't giving all of these things ME, I was giving them who I thought they wanted.

4. "A confidant heart is found in a woman who knows beyond the shadow of a doubt that she is loved no matter what."

Wow!  I think of the surface we can read this and say to ourselves that we are that woman, but deep down inside I think we all struggle in some way or another.  It could be body image, self esteem, etc.  When I moved from reading this to believing this I felt a change.  Each day I have to give over to God, thank Him for His creation, acknowledge that I'm NOT perfect but He loves me because I am not.

5. "In Christ I am a chosen woman, a royal priest, a holy daughter, a woman belonging to God."

You are that!  You are holy, beautiful, pure, strong, confidant, courageous, patient, kind, and loved.  More than anything else, you are chosen.

I hope that one of these truths blesses you in some way or another!  

Love,

Jamie

I love this message Jamie, it is so important we remember who we belong to, to not get caught up in the things of this world and to seek His wisdom and counsel on a daily basis.