"You have to learn to accept how God has made you and how pain has changed you regardless of how anyone else feels about it. When you accept your flaws and mistakes along with your gifts and your strengths, you earn an integrated, joyful, abundant life that doesn’t factor in other people’s perceptions into your worth."
Well if this didn’t just hit me in the gut and nearly make me nauseous after my freak out in Edinburgh about being misunderstood. (In case you were wondering, I’m still freaking out about it. 😂)
Thank you for leading the way, Kristen, in showing what it looks like to ACTUALLY love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, even when it means entering spaces where we will actively be misunderstood. I’ve been praying for months about how to navigate these waters as more eyes fall on my writing, and here you are, showing us how. Bless you, girl. I’m so excited for this next season of your ministry.
I've been casually reading your posts for a while. There has always been something in your writing that has opened my soul just a little bit more. But this post is different. It put into words what I've been feeling for a long time, but was never able to put words to it. It blew my soul wide open in a way I was not expecting. Thank you. I am excited to see what becomes of The Liminal Way!!
The line that I really identified with was
"I’ve let other people’s comfort be more important than anything else. And I’ve felt sick about it. And I’m sorry."
I always knew that people pleasing was not healthy for me, but failed to see that it's something I need to make amends for to others.
"It’s been one of the hardest spiritual disciplines of my life to let people misunderstand me and not rush to fix it."
Kristen, this is exactly what I'm walking through this year. You sharing your journey is a gift to me. Thank you for reminding me that this growing I'm doing is *important.* It's messy, it's hard, and it's important.
Kristen, I've been away and just found you again. (I tried to buy your book in the sweet spot between switching over your website a while ago.) You've wiped the lipstick off the pig, dismantled all the superstar pedestals for the really good Christians, and you're living from the real heart of Jesus. I'm so, so sorry for the pain you've had to live through for so long but God doesn't waste a drop of it and I'm so excited for you and your family and the liminal way and I cannot wait to catch up on how He reveals himself to you and through you! Martha
I'm so sorry for all you have endured while simultaneously grateful for the work that you and God are doing in it and through it. You're an inspiration.
I've become increasingly convinced over the last couple of years that belonging really is IT. I wonder if power and belonging are related. The people in power abuse belonging and use it to manipulate and control others. The people who don't belong know they don't, and will sometimes do whatever it takes to belong—often to their detriment (ask me how I know this!!). And the people who do belong often take it for granted, oblivious to their privilege, and expect everyone else to just do X, like they do, and everything will be fine! Belonging is a good and right thing; I just suspect most of us don't realize the power it has and we often end up wielding it in ways that do more harm than good.
Thank you for being brave and saying the scary parts out loud. I'm excited to see what comes of The Liminal Way. My new favorite thing is coming to the comments after these posts and feeling a little less alone. See! You're already doing it—providing a safe space for the wondering and the wandering. <3
What a gift this will be to me and sooooo many others! Cannot wait! So grateful for you in this space in all your searching and discovering and growing...I've been here for so much of it and will continue to be here. Grateful for YOU!!!!!
This. This. This.
You have to learn to accept how God has made you and how pain has changed you regardless of how anyone else feels about it. When you accept your flaws and mistakes along with your gifts and your strengths, you earn an integrated, joyful, abundant life that doesn’t factor in other people’s perceptions into your worth.
Oof, Kristen...this right here is EXACTLY how I've been feeling lately. I want to say it seems like we're both in similar places. Your words have always helped me feel some sense of belonging. Like I'm not alone as I change and unmask. Thank you for this.
The courage to pray this prayer and then live it out is powerful, may every blessing fill this new work as you serve and connect a hurting people … and may you be blessed beyond measure as you continue your own healing work.
“I prayed that God would move me out of spaces where I’m not welcome - where I’ve been judged or criticized publicly or privately, and move me somewhere healthier, where I don’t have to fight for acceptance and understanding. Where I didn’t have to wonder, every day, where I stood with people.”
“I prayed — Align me with people who are aligned with you and who understand this work you’ve called me to do.”
After reading your second post ( about the Liminal Way) I felt like something was trying to open up inside of me💔 thank you for your words. And your work. I’m all in.
This quote. Ooof. Gives me all the feels.
"You have to learn to accept how God has made you and how pain has changed you regardless of how anyone else feels about it. When you accept your flaws and mistakes along with your gifts and your strengths, you earn an integrated, joyful, abundant life that doesn’t factor in other people’s perceptions into your worth."
Well if this didn’t just hit me in the gut and nearly make me nauseous after my freak out in Edinburgh about being misunderstood. (In case you were wondering, I’m still freaking out about it. 😂)
Thank you for leading the way, Kristen, in showing what it looks like to ACTUALLY love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, even when it means entering spaces where we will actively be misunderstood. I’ve been praying for months about how to navigate these waters as more eyes fall on my writing, and here you are, showing us how. Bless you, girl. I’m so excited for this next season of your ministry.
Kristen,
I've been casually reading your posts for a while. There has always been something in your writing that has opened my soul just a little bit more. But this post is different. It put into words what I've been feeling for a long time, but was never able to put words to it. It blew my soul wide open in a way I was not expecting. Thank you. I am excited to see what becomes of The Liminal Way!!
The line that I really identified with was
"I’ve let other people’s comfort be more important than anything else. And I’ve felt sick about it. And I’m sorry."
I always knew that people pleasing was not healthy for me, but failed to see that it's something I need to make amends for to others.
Thank you again.
"It’s been one of the hardest spiritual disciplines of my life to let people misunderstand me and not rush to fix it."
Kristen, this is exactly what I'm walking through this year. You sharing your journey is a gift to me. Thank you for reminding me that this growing I'm doing is *important.* It's messy, it's hard, and it's important.
Kristen, I've been away and just found you again. (I tried to buy your book in the sweet spot between switching over your website a while ago.) You've wiped the lipstick off the pig, dismantled all the superstar pedestals for the really good Christians, and you're living from the real heart of Jesus. I'm so, so sorry for the pain you've had to live through for so long but God doesn't waste a drop of it and I'm so excited for you and your family and the liminal way and I cannot wait to catch up on how He reveals himself to you and through you! Martha
I'm so sorry for all you have endured while simultaneously grateful for the work that you and God are doing in it and through it. You're an inspiration.
I've become increasingly convinced over the last couple of years that belonging really is IT. I wonder if power and belonging are related. The people in power abuse belonging and use it to manipulate and control others. The people who don't belong know they don't, and will sometimes do whatever it takes to belong—often to their detriment (ask me how I know this!!). And the people who do belong often take it for granted, oblivious to their privilege, and expect everyone else to just do X, like they do, and everything will be fine! Belonging is a good and right thing; I just suspect most of us don't realize the power it has and we often end up wielding it in ways that do more harm than good.
Thank you for being brave and saying the scary parts out loud. I'm excited to see what comes of The Liminal Way. My new favorite thing is coming to the comments after these posts and feeling a little less alone. See! You're already doing it—providing a safe space for the wondering and the wandering. <3
What a gift this will be to me and sooooo many others! Cannot wait! So grateful for you in this space in all your searching and discovering and growing...I've been here for so much of it and will continue to be here. Grateful for YOU!!!!!
This. This. This.
You have to learn to accept how God has made you and how pain has changed you regardless of how anyone else feels about it. When you accept your flaws and mistakes along with your gifts and your strengths, you earn an integrated, joyful, abundant life that doesn’t factor in other people’s perceptions into your worth.
Such a unique space to advocate for and so so needed. Thank you ♥️
Oof, Kristen...this right here is EXACTLY how I've been feeling lately. I want to say it seems like we're both in similar places. Your words have always helped me feel some sense of belonging. Like I'm not alone as I change and unmask. Thank you for this.
So. Good. That is all.
So proud of you!
The courage to pray this prayer and then live it out is powerful, may every blessing fill this new work as you serve and connect a hurting people … and may you be blessed beyond measure as you continue your own healing work.
“I prayed that God would move me out of spaces where I’m not welcome - where I’ve been judged or criticized publicly or privately, and move me somewhere healthier, where I don’t have to fight for acceptance and understanding. Where I didn’t have to wonder, every day, where I stood with people.”
“I prayed — Align me with people who are aligned with you and who understand this work you’ve called me to do.”
After reading your second post ( about the Liminal Way) I felt like something was trying to open up inside of me💔 thank you for your words. And your work. I’m all in.
All of this. 🌻
Hard relate.
(Btw can I ask the title of the book about masking? This has been a focus for me very recently and I'd be so grateful for the resource.)
It’s called Unmasking Autism! It’s connecting so many dots for me.