My Own Personal Parables

     I'm insecure.
     As a matter of fact, I'm one of the most insecure people I know.
     Sometimes I feel like I'm insecure about everything - from the way I look to the way I act to the way I walk.
     Yes...the way I walk
     Those who know me well know that I often say I walk like a goofy penguin.

     And then today I was watching 7-year-old Christella run.  It's so cute! She runs with her feet flying in every direction.  It makes me smile - I really just love it!
     As I was thinking about how much this simple act makes me smile, I started thinking...  What if Christella were insecure about the way she runs?  What if she were so insecure that she decided not to run?  Oh the things she would miss out on!  Tag, soccer, hide-and-seek, catching butterflies, the feel of the wind in her face, the feel of carefree freedom.
     In these thoughts, God spoke to me about how He sees me - the daughter that He created in His own image.  When He sees me - the way I look, the way I act, the way I walk - He falls in love with me over and over again.  He finds joy in those things.  The same things I am so desperately insecure about.

     How many wonderful blessings have I missed out on because of my crippling insecurities?  How many times has God said to me, "Go. Enjoy. Do." and I've held back because I was insecure?

     I love the way God uses my students as my own personal parables.  I feel blessed that I get to see myself through His eyes when I look at my children.

     The conclusion of this particular parable?
     Let it go.  Let go of all the insecurities that hold you back from My blessings.  Go.  Enjoy.  Do.  Run with your feet flying in every direction.  And take pride in it.  Because I love it when you do.