21 Days of Dedication

Day 13
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"Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul" (3 John 1:2, ESV).

Right now, on Day 13 of our dedication, I want you to say one word out loud: grace. I feel from the Lord the urge to encourage you to be gracious to yourself. It's Friday, and you need to give yourself grace. I know I need to give myself grace.

Maybe you didn't accomplish every goal and task you set out to this week: give yourself grace. 
Maybe you didn't reach out to that person you wanted to let know that you miss them: give yourself grace. 
Maybe you spent more money this week than you budgeted for: give yourself grace. 

Maybe you had a blowout with a loved one this week: give yourself grace. 
Maybe you achieved everything you set out to do this week, with much success! Still, give yourself grace. 

We need to be gracious with ourselves because much of the time, we beat ourselves up harder than anyone else does because we aren't gracious to ourselves. Sometimes it's easier to forgive someone else than it is to forgive ourselves: give yourself grace. 

Want me to give you an example of giving yourself grace? This week, I didn't post something on Day 10 of the dedication. I wasn't too busy, but was unable to write something. Nothing bad happened, and there was no struggle in me. In fact, I got to spend good time with the Lord with my amazing family. Still, it hurt to not post something. But, I'm gonna take my own advice: give yourself grace. 

Acknowledge it, repent from it (if that's needed), and move on! That's how you give yourself grace. So this Friday, I'm praying for you. That all may go well with you, that you be in good health, and that it would go well with your soul. You know one of the best ways to live 3 John 1:2? Say it with me: give yourself grace. 

-Pastor Tim Escamilla