It's the one thing I'm sure I can be without fail...

I'm battling the sins of comparison, perfectionism, and the not-good-enoughs, and in my weaker moments, I'm tempted to give up.

You would love my friend Lisa. She's glamorous, articulate and gifted in the many ways I am not. Lisa has led the women's study at church for years, and it's more than intimidating for a simple, often tongue-tied, country girl like me to take the lead from Lisa this fall.

I've considered buying new clothes {as though I could remake my sixty-something self to look as elegant as Lisa}, but that would only amplify my sin with poor stewardship. Like it or not, we're all stuck with me.

So I'm pressing on - laughing at myself because the opportunities are numerous and it's better than crying. Mostly I'm preaching the gospel to myself and believing that God's promises to Paul are mine, too.

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

And anyway, it's Jesus, not Lisa, that I'm to follow, and that I can do and be without fail, because...

The only thing that qualifies us to be followers of Jesus is that we are sinners who need grace. Sinners are the only kind of people Jesus calls.

~ Jon Bloom, Out of Sight

{Photos - early September in my neck of the woods}

Turning the page...

Come September, the leaves begin to turn in these shorter days, but summer lingers well into fall here in the sunshine that dips her finger into warm gulf waters.

Still - turning the page on the calendar today feels like opening a window to the cool breezes that are surely on the horizon. 

He changes times and seasons;
he removes kings and sets up kings;
he gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to those who have understanding;
Daniel 2:21 ESV