Accepted

As I take this week to prepare my heart for Easter, I can't help but reflect over the past 12 months of my life.

I remember it was this time a year ago that I got the ultimate rejection.
And I reflect on all the Lord has done since then.  

A year ago, I walked into work and knew immediately that something was wrong when asked for the password to my email. While I don't really recall the words that followed, I vividly recall the rejection. It was a feeling all too familiar to this soul. I was no longer needed. Or wanted. So it felt. My position had been cut from the company. 

My performance no longer taken into account. My kindness, integrity, work ethic, genuine concern for the wellbeing of my co-workers- all obsolete. 

All of these things. They had gotten me acceptance in life thus far. 

But what do you do when there is nothing to do? 

The following 12 months would take me on a journey I never expected.

A journey of rejection and more rejection and then finally acceptance. 

The irony in it all? Through all of the acceptance I had been seeking, I failed to accept myself. There was too much self-hate happening. If I couldn't accept myself, the next best thing is to get others to accept me, right? Wrong. And that is precisely what the enemy wanted me to believe.

So began the conversation... 

But God. You created me for acceptance. For a sense of belonging. That quality You instilled in my heart. 

Yes. But Elizabeth. You have misplaced that sense of belonging. You don't belong to the world. You belong to Me. 

Right then and there the lie began to loose its power and the truth began to take root. See how subtly the enemy will sneak that lie in? 

Am I home free now? Absolutely not.
Do gardens grow without tending to? Not hardly.

I must continue to do the work and pluck the weeds at the root. And, let me assure you, there are still plenty of weeds that need plucking. But- the flowers are starting to bloom in my garden and there's no more choking them out with the lies any longer!

See here- if the enemy could keep me focused on other's acceptance, He knew I wouldn't focus on my Father's acceptance or even my own acceptance. In the end, does it matter what kind of daughter, sister, aunt, friend, wife, mother, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, or employee I am? No. Do I want to be pleasing in all those areas of my life? Yes. But really all that matters is that I am a child of the King. And when I am seeking His will, all those other areas of my life will fall into place. 

My Father? He knows the truth. He knows I'm acceptable. 

He has accepted me. Flaws and all. 

He accepted me the moment he died on the cross for my sins. Have you accepted Him? Have you accepted His will on your life? Thy will; not my will be done.

Please do not take this as judgement or condemnation. It has taken me 35 years to just begin sorting out the lies. I am in the same boat as you. The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. When is enough, enough? Did you know we have the authority in Jesus Christ to take those lies and thoughts captive and cast them back to the pit of hell where they belong? Will you join me? I've had enough of his twisting and manipulating in my life!

Stay with me for just one more second.

In reflecting over this last year, I am reminded of the ultimate rejection my Father experienced through the cross. And then how He received the ultimate acceptance of His Father in heaven. 

Our Maker has infused in us specific qualities so that we can fulfill our destiny. If the enemy can get us to hate those qualities enough- to hate ourselves enough; ultimately we miss the calling on our life.

Our Father is inviting us to abundant life in Him. With Him.

Will you accept His invitation? He has accepted you. 

Blessings for a glorious Easter season for you!

And for abundant life in Him. With Him.