Say something
on doing your best
There’s a beautiful scene in the new Devil Wears Prada movie where Anne Hathaway’s character realizes she’s said something she regrets to someone she loves. She tells a friend that she doesn’t know the perfect thing to say to remedy the situation. Her friend looks at her and says, “You don’t have to say the perfect thing. You just have to say something.”
As I've written about a lot this year, I feel like the Lord has been calling me over and over to release my perfectionism. I want to say the right thing in the right way, to not hurt anyone's feelings, to make everyone feel happy, heard, and loved. And that’s a good desire! But the reality is that I am not perfect — because nobody is perfect! And that means I do and say things that aren’t perfect… all the time.
That’s a hard pill to swallow. In (and after) my moments of imperfection, I find myself getting discouraged with the ways I come up short. But if I have learned anything this year, it is that we don't have to do or say the perfect thing. God simply calls us to do our best, to love people, and to love Him — and then we can leave the results in His hands.
I don't know if you're in a situation where you're afraid that you might do or say something that isn't perfect, but I (and God) promise that we do not need to be afraid! No one is perfect, but I found so much peace in Romans 8:28: “God works all things for our good.” It’s in situations where I feel most confused about the “right thing” to do that I have felt the Lord's hand and goodness and seen His activity most brilliantly. Paul says himself: “God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness.”
This week I encourage all of us to be not afraid of our weaknesses, but instead to open our hearts up to allow the Lord to work within them! We only have to do the things He’s asking us to do and to do them well. As my friend Nicole used to say, “Do your best and let God do the rest.”
Here’s to a week of doing our best!
In Christ,
Jane
What I’m loving lately
Parchment paper
This roll of parchment paper has truly changed my life. I use it to wrap gifts and flowers and boxes and books. It works for all occasions! And it’s only $6.99 for 100 feet. Here’s the one I bought on Amazon: Parchment Paper roll.
Are these the cutest shoes in the world?
I think so. I’m obsessed with my new Rothy’s!
Arthur Brooks and I are on the same wavelength this week
Support Devon on mission!
My beloved friend Devon is going on mission for a year, teaching in Belize with SOLT! I wish I could join her, but the next best thing is walking alongside her and supporting her financially — please consider joining in her support here! Include her name, Devon, in the comments. She’s $4000 away from her goal!
Nick Jonas on a Worship Song
Okay, Nick, I see you! I loveeeee this song, and I’m so happy to see him praising the Lord! His dad was a pastor, and Nick has shared that he experienced a lot of hurt from the Christian community as the Jonas Brothers became more famous. This return to worship makes me so happy, and this song is SO good. “I lost the plot every time I played God.” Woof.
Prayer intentions
For Erica’s belated birthday!
For all the wonderful Moms in our lives (and on this newsletter!)
For Mary and Dina who are recovering from surgeries
For a special intention