Trustworthy

I recently did an exercise I found on the "Triggered and True" website by Laura Duncan. It is called "How I am Seen." They give you a list of 30 positive, descriptive words that you send to 10 people. You ask each person to pick one word that best describes you and why they think so. I was unprepared for the response. 

For starters, my words for myself have often been less than positive. I can be my own worst critic. This exercise really shed some light for me. 

I was overwhelmed as I read the words that people gave me. The tears kept falling as I felt the Father bring healing to the hurt and broken places in my heart. 

There was one word that kept coming up again and again. Five times, in fact! Out of 30 words to choose from and 12 people (I know, I know - I couldn't stop with 10!), how could 5 of them pick the same word??! Trustworthy! And the one word I would not have chosen for myself. You see, there were things in my past that made me feel less than trustworthy and the kind and loving Father knew that. As I sat with Him I felt Him saying, "But that's your past, Pauline, not your present. That has been forgiven and you need to move on. It's what you do with your mistakes that makes the difference. You have proven yourself and I trust you completely." 

I'm finding that trust starts first with me. I have to trust myself, before I can even trust God, and definitely others. But God is trustworthy, it's part of His character, and I am made in His image, so I am, too. 

Don't let your past mistakes define you, but live in the confidence of who God created you to be!

Still learning,

Pauline