My third-grade girl was nervous about a poem she had to recite at school. She knew every word to “Animal Crackers.” Sure, they came out too quickly and she could have spoken louder when she practiced in our kitchen. But she knew what she was doing.
Yet fear sneaked in. Tears came. Nerves abounded.
As I comforted her, I remembered every night before I had a school presentation when I was growing up, I would get irritable and nervous. Tears weren’t strangers to my preparations either.
But I don’t want that for her. I want her to stand in a confidence I never knew. I want her to realize she may mess up when she’s standing in front of her class, but life is okay anyway. I want her to realize her performance – with this poem or anything else – doesn’t define her.
I told her all these things. And then we opened up her bible to 1 John 4:17-18:
“This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. …”
She is loved perfectly by the one who made her. She doesn’t have to score well or speak perfectly to earn God’s affection. Sure, as her mom, I want her to do her best, but she’s already loved.
The same can be said for you and me.
I wish I knew that when I was a kid. But I’m grateful I know that now and can tell my girl about it. When I told her about how perfect love drives out fear, I needed the reminder myself.
My performance as a wife, mom, friend, aunt, daughter, and friend isn’t enough – and never will be. But God’s grace is more than enough. Following Jesus isn’t about performing well and earning the best grades; it’s about giving and accepting grace.
I’m realizing when we do that, love overflows as we live and serve and dream.
Let’s believe this together, dreamers. Let’s hold tightly to the truth that we don’t have to be afraid for whatever comes next in this new year. {Tweet that.}
Maybe you have to speak in front of a group and that’s terrifying to you.
Maybe you have to have a hard conversation with your spouse, child or friend and the words aren’t coming.
Maybe you have to make a decision or grieve a loss and the tears won’t stop.
Maybe you have step out in faith and aren’t sure of the details.
Maybe you aren’t sure what’s next.
Maybe you want the perfect grade or the clean house or the next bestseller.
Whatever the dream is, let go of the performing and let God continue perfecting you. Hold on to his perfect love, where there is no fear. {Tweet that.}
Shared by: Kristin Hill Taylor
I can so relate to your sweet little girl, Kristin. Public speaking has always been one of my greatest fears, especially when I was very young. My face would turn red and my voice cracked. I love that you sat her down with the Word. I wish I had someone to do that with me in those days. Thank you for this beautiful encouragement, my friend. Love really does drive out fear. Many blessings to you and your precious family in 2016.
Me too, Candace. I still don’t like speaking in front of people and get all red-faced myself. I’m grateful I eventually found the Word and am so grateful I get to share it with Cate. Thanks for being here, Candace. Happy 2016 to you!
Oh, I needed this, Kristin: “My performance as a wife, mom, friend, aunt, daughter, and friend isn’t enough – and never will be. But God’s grace is more than enough”. Our kids will be better off if we learn the gospel along with them. Amen? What a sweet story and profound truth here. Thanks for sharing your heart so beautifully- it made a difference for me today.
So glad you could be encouraged, Karen. And I’m so glad we get to have God’s grace. Learning the real-life gospel alongside my kids has been the ultimate blessing of parenthood. Thanks for being here today.
Thanks for sharing this, Kristin! “Maybe you have to step out in faith and aren’t sure of the details.”
This resonates with me as I find it hard to let go of striving and trust Him with only what He can do. Thanks for the encouragement 🙂 Happy New Year!
I’m glad you could be encouraged, Ashley! Happy 2016 to you!
Kristin, I needed this today. I am rereading You’re Made for A God-sized dream and reminding myself of what this really means. Today, I am tired and I need reminded that I am human, I can’t do it all. I need not fear, He who has begun the work in me will complete it. Thanks and blessings!
That’s good book to re-read because where we are in our dreams and relationship with God changes with the seasons. Hope you continued to be encouraged by Holley’s words and this site. I’m glad I got to encourage you a little too. 🙂 xoxo
Great encouragement, Kristin. It’s a beautiful thing to be able to speak those truths into our kids lives – to teach them the things that we’ve learned the hard way. So, so glad that God isn’t giving out gold stars – but loves us beyond measure win or lose. Blessings, friend. xo
Thanks, Tiffany! I’m glad when I speak into my kids’ lives, God manages to speak into mine. I certainly couldn’t parent without Him … or my husband! Glad you’re here, friend! xoxo
Yes and Amen to this, Kristin! One of my favorite memory verses is II Timothy 1:7. I am pretty sure I pull it up and quote it about a million times a year. For God has not given me a spirit of fear. Fear is such a tool of the enemy. — Let’s kick to the curb in the power of Jesus’ name in 2016. xo
Such a good verse to claim, Lyli! So glad to see you here, sweet lady. xoxo