My heart has been really burdened lately. It's so hard for me to see a friend falling into the same sin over and over again. My heart hurts along with them, because I know that their sin is only pulling them further from God. But I cannot only be characterized by my concern, for underneath my layer of "care" lie many layers of frustration, impatience, pride... and not too long after, my own internal sin becomes visible to me.

Oh, how I pray that God would smooth out my rough edges! That He would make me a woman of patience... a woman of compassion... a woman that understands and loves! I pray that He would appoint my opportunities to rebuke, and my opportunities to encourage. And clearly, it's so hard to find that balance on my own because all my attempts will be fruitless unless they are guided by God.

And to my brothers and sisters in Christ- if you see me doing something stupid, stop me! Call me on it!

I was so motivated by a conversation that I had with Noelle Radut last week.... in regards to rebuke- she actually asked me to tell her things that she wouldn't want to hear. That's an invitation for accountability at its finest!