by jessy paulson, prayer artist

about 14 hours ago

|

3 min read

You Are Not Where You Were

Give yourself permission today to say it: I am not where I was. And thank God for that.
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This October, journey with us as we slow down to recognize what God has been growing, receive the fruit of His faithfulness, and give thanks for the harvest.

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Prayer

God,

Thank You that I am still becoming.

When I get discouraged by how far I still have to go, remind me how far You have already brought me.

Keep me from comparing my growth to someone else's.

Help me trust that You are not finished with me, and that unfinished does not mean unsuccessful.

Thank You for being patient with me.

Amen.

Verse of the Day

Reflection

I think sometimes we discount our growth because we can still see all the places where we need to grow.

Of course there is more. There always will be.

But that doesn't erase what has already happened.

You can still be learning patience and be more patient than you were five years ago.

You can still struggle with fear and have become much braver.

You can still be figuring out your calling and have become much better at listening.

You don't have to be finished to be growing.

You can simply look back and acknowledge, God has done something here and He isn't finished yet.

Encouragement

Invitation

Give yourself permission today to say it: I am not where I was.

And thank God for that.

From our Community of Creators...

Love Does That

Seeing far too many people go through hardship alone, Kari Bartkus became determined to show up and be present when those around her were hurting. Through her work at Love Does That, she serves as a spiritual director to hurting Christian women, but she uses a modern-day letter writing approach perfect for those drawn to quiet spaces and written words. Her signature program, Journal Gently, allows women to learn a gentle approach to healing from past grief and trauma, using journaling as a spiritual practice to talk with God about their hurt. Her podcast, also entitled Journal Gently, similarly provides a sacred space for women to meet with God on the pages of their journals, especially when life is hard.
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Welcome to Purpose + Grit—a place to slow down, pay attention, and discover God in the ordinary rhythms of life. Here you'll find daily prayers, stories, creative inspiration, and thoughtful invitations to live a little more awake. Through Gritty Faith Magazine, The Practice, books, and the stories we share along the way, we make room for faith, creativity, wonder, and the beautifully imperfect work of being human. You don't have to be an artist or have it all figured out. You simply have to be willing to pull up a chair. Come stay awhile. There's room for you here. Sign up below for our free daily prayer emails.

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