Good News for Perfectionists By Kim HylandSample

Day Six

Embracing Your Story

Scripture: Ephesians 2:10

When I begin to embrace my story, I can appreciate that mine doesn’t look like yours any more than one book looks like another. If I choose to compare my story against yours, though, I not only dishonor the author but also diminish the purpose and beauty of my story. Comparison doesn’t allow for diversity, growth, maturity, strength, and weakness. 

Embracing my story in its entirety—the good and bad, the beautiful and ugly, the blessed chapters and broken ones—frees me to fulfill my purpose and live the rest of the chapters with freedom and joy. My story isn’t defined by its worst page or even chapter. It’s defined by the purpose God has given it. 

Your story might involve all sorts of trials I could never fathom, or it may be full of chapters that are like fields rich and full. I want to be able to read your story and give thanks to a good God instead of comparing. 

As my story has unfolded, I’ve been tempted to question God’s timing. There are chapters I would like to rewrite, but then I remember who the author is. I’m learning to trust and find contentment, and I’m coming to love my story with all its successes and mistakes, joys and sorrows, trophies and scars. 

My story isn’t over. It’s still being told. It’s had dark chapters and brilliantly light ones. I’m hoping for more of the latter, but I know pain is as inevitable as joy. Not only will I experience my own pain, but the more people I love, the more I will encounter pain as they walk through difficult times. Our loved ones carry our hearts around wherever they wander. 

Your story isn’t over either. Prince Charming may not come. Even worse, he might leave. Our children will disappoint and may even devastate us. Not every dream will come true, and some will surprise us beyond any dream we could have ever imagined. We don’t have a promise that our stories will turn out the way we’d like them to. But if our confidence and hope are in Christ, our stories, just like their author, are perfect.

Is it difficult or easy for you to embrace your story? Why?