Cheerleader

 I think it wasn't random that the Lord gave me the word 'Affirmation' for this year. Initially, I thought that the word stemmed from turning aside from seeking affirmation on social media - I realize now that there's more to flesh out with this particular word in this particular season. The thing is, I grew in a lot of self-love and self-confidence last year as I was training for the Chicago Marathon. Most importantly, this self-love was a paradigm shift precisely because the lens through which I saw myself slowly began to change. I began to see myself through the Lord's eyes. Or rather, I began to believe that I was lovely, and worthy of His love and affections. 

I realize that the affirmation that I truly need isn't from the people around me; I need the truth of who I am as a beloved daughter from the Lord himself; indeed, this is the kind of affirmation my spirit desperately seeks on a day-to-day basis. When the voice of shame and self-condemnation is replaced with the voice of love, it changes you from the inside out. I guess you can say that the Lord is my cheerleader, encouraging me and helping me become the person he has created me to be. 

As we enter into February, I once again let go. I let go of control over my relationships and what they should look like; I let go of fear of what others think and the constant need to prove my worth; I let go of performance and the desire for approval. I let go of my imperfections. I let go and once again ask that the Holy Spirit would meet me, fill me, transform me, prepare me, empower me for Kingdom glory.