Your Story Matters

I just saw this the other day and just loved it! It’s a tear jerker…

Then, I saw this…

Sarah is such a genuine, beautiful lady – so is Ellen. It’s so encouraging and inspiring when celebrities and corporations use their powers for good.

Something to consider as we figure out our goals and habits for 2012:

As far as habits go, this one is really an easy one to implement and it makes sense.

There are voices in my head. Too often they are accusing voices – enemies of my heart. I call these accusers the Barking Dogs. Even though they are loud, I often confuse their barks with my own voice. They growl sentences filled with phrases like “less than”,”shouldn’t have”, “never enough”,”fat”,”not enough”, “fake” and on and on it goes. They contribute to my fear of rejection saying “Once they find out what you’re really like or that you’re not as good as_____,  they will drop you, fire you, leave you, give up on you. You will never be enough. Hide.”. This voice makes me feel afraid, trapped and old.

There is another Voice in my head. I wish it were louder. I wish it would shout. It doesn’t. This Voice is quiet and gentle and persistent. I never confuse it with my own. His name is Jesus. He speaks words like, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”, “nothing can separate you from my love”, “you are wonderfully made”,”you can because I will strengthen you”, “come to me, I will give you rest”, “as far as the East is from the West so I have forgiven you” and on and on His Word goes. His voice makes me feel afraid, too. But, the fear is different – it’s more like being vulnerable, softer, new, hopeful.

I despise the Barking Dogs but they are familiar and louder. They demand my attention. The Voice of Jesus is becoming more familiar over the years, too. But, I must choose to listen for His voice. I must resist the Growl. Fortunately Jesus’ Words are written down. Hearing His voice makes me thirsty for more. Someday I will be satisfied.

I heard this Tenth Avenue North song today and it encouraged me to listen to the Voice of Jesus. I hope it encourages you, too.

What do your voices say? Who do you listen to?

By Travis Silva on Flickr

 I read this quote over at The Write Practice:

“The world has already been created and will survive without the help of man. The world has our hands, but our soul belongs to Someone Else.”

-Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel

Sigh.