Good Thing God Fills in Our Gaps

Well, here I am sitting down to write & nothing is coming to mind. I don’t feel like I have anything new to talk about.

But I guess that’s not entirely a bad thing, because this blog isn’t really supposed to be about me being profound. Its main purpose is really to point to where I find my hope… to use my failures & shortcomings to point you to trust Him & obey Him & live for His glory through every season of life—good or bad or all the in betweens.

He is truly what it’s all about.

I am nobody special. And that is okay.

Boy, Do I Fall Short

To be honest, despite trusting on Jesus to pay my sin at an early age, I grew up still testing boundaries & doubting God, wanting to assert myself & my ideals. I misunderstood a lot about who God is. I thought He was all about rules & controlling me… & that honestly made me squirmy. I wanted a reason to doubt Him so I wouldn’t have to follow all the rules. I had a rebellious heart.

God really was gracious & patient & kind as He grew me. No “I told you so” responses, but always met with patient grace.

I didn’t know how to tell what was God’s voice, my voice, or Satan’s even.

I’m inconsistent in my devotion to Him even. Sometimes I am on fire & am in complete surrender to Him, trusting Him completely with no hesitation. Other times, I’m selfish & self-focused & have a bad attitude about everything.

Sometimes I doubt God’s best & try my own way, EVEN STILL!  (I mean really… you’d think I’d learned better by now & be immune to that.)

Oftentimes, I begin to trust & rely on His blessings more than on Him Who supplied those blessings.

I have to pray for help righting my attitude more often than I’d really like to admit.

I would not be my first choice.

God Can Use the Unusable

I never thought I would ever lead Bible studies, be on student leadership in college, teach Sunday school for all different ages from K4 to college age girls, be a lead camp counselor, disciple others or lead accountability, design/launch a website, do a weekly blog for 6+ years. Me? No… I was not good enough for that.

All those inadequacies I mentioned were why I was so scared to start this blog back in 2018.

Like, choose someone else, God. You know everything, so You ought to know best all the reasons I’m just not it.

But here I am. God reminded me all the way back then & even today as I feel so completely void of anything useful to tell you… it’s not about me really anyway.

He’s Worth It

It’s about me showing up for Him anyway.

Hard days? He’s worth it.

Good days? He’s worth it.

Selfish days? He’s worth it.

Victorious days? He’s worth it.

Complete & utter failure days? He’s worth it.

Right attitude days? He’s worth it.

Bad attitude days? He’s worth it.

Lazy days? He’s worth it.

Sick days? He’s worth it.

Have very little to offer Him? He’s worth it.

He Can Where I Can’t

It’s not about how much I have to offer Him–God can supply. It’s about how much He has to offer us, through His Son, Jesus Christ.

I can’t. He can.

I’ve got nothing. He is infinite.

I fail. He doesn’t.

I fall short. He supplies.

I get it wrong. He is sovereign.

I hurt Him. He forgives.

I live in a perpetual state of undeserved GRACE. I can’t earn it or deserve it. But God keeps on giving it.

I’m Nothing… & That’s Okay

And that’s why I’m here each week. Not because I feel I’m profound or better or worth listening to or anything else… but because He’s worth it.

I’m nothing… & that’s okay.

Do you justify not serving or honoring Him with something because you don’t feel you’ve got what it takes… that you’re not good enough… neglecting to consider He can fill in that gaps wherever you lack & still use your life for His glory as you seek to obey & honor Him with your life?

It doesn’t have to make sense to you. You don’t have to be your first choice. You just have to be willing to show others that He is absolutely & always worth showing up for.

Shine HOPE by living that reality every day around every person God chooses to put in your path. Even on the days where you feel you really have nothing special to offer anybody.

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement right here on my blog/website @ www.MichelleHydeOnline.com.

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As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.

A Note from Michelle:

(***Check out my FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts ,” as well as “Prayers of Surrender” prayer guides!***)

This blog/website has been running for 6.5 years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

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Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Consider these pieces when shopping for friends, family, or yourself. Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Calla Carryall Tote (INDIA)

Create the opportunity for women in India to earn a dignified income when you shop and carry the Calla Carryall Tote. With its iconic look, this faux croc-leather styled bag has room for everything you need to carry with you as a woman on the go! Each ethically made tote includes a snap closure, padded interior laptop sleeve, interior zipper pocket, slip pockets, and is perfect for your everyday essentials!

***Use the “SHOP Here” link below to purchase this beautifully handcrafted bag & to empower women in India out of poverty!***

How You Can Help Artisans around the World AND Help Support My Website:

#1 is PRAY. Financial help is great & helps pay my website fees & helps support these women artisans… but God’s help is always needed most… both for encouragement & for spiritual hope, through Jesus, for the women we support through our ethical fashion purchases. Always PRAY first.

SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me in continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win-win-win!

Have a wonderful week living for His glory in all that you do!