Sometimes increased grace comes from darkness. I am experiencing darkness in some areas of my life not in my 90-Day Summer Simplifying Challenge. Read my 90-Day Summer Simplifying Manifesto!!
A Recovering Magpie’s Perspective
In my morning reading today, I learned that: “St. Paul said that where sin increased, grace abounded all the more. Similarly, where there is a void like hatred, sin, and darkness, we can more easily see the light God wishes to shine on us. This is not to say we ought to seek out darkness but rather that sometimes we must walk through the darkness in order to find the light.”
Isn’t it funny how things show up when you most need them? I love the way God works. I have written about some darkness recently that I was allowing to diminish the good that I was doing and, even more sad, I was allowing this interaction to diminish me and my spirit.
I have been around this block many times in the last few months. It boils down to someone who just does not like me as a person. That is Okay. Not everyone will like me. I feel alone and that no one has my back. That is not a good place to be.
I sought out help to deal with this from a psychiatrist friend Bev Flaxington who wrote my favorite little communication book, “Understanding Other People.” I have cried on trusted friends shoulders. I have turned inward to reflect and finally had to turn it over to God.
It all came together this morning as I read. Yes, sometimes we must walk through the darkness in order to find the light. I must stand in my divine light and protect myself from arrows of misunderstanding. I cannot change another person. I cannot alter their opinion of me. All I can do is transform the way I react when these moments of darkness happen. I must protect myself from falling victim to the dark places I take myself when I am chastised. I don’t fight back. I don’t respond. I just take it. That leaves me drained and confused.
The 90-Day Summer Simplifying Challenge is a place of light for me. Even the darkness of my work life cannot diminish the light that is shining through this journey.
{Coming clean} I allow myself to feel like I don’t fit in.
My Summer Simplifying Challenge
No darkness is allowed in my grace-filled Summer Simplifying Challenge. It is rooted in goodness and light. But there has been some darkness of letting go that has flooded my world with light. The newness of a life with less clutter and chaos has made me shine. As I head into the last month of this challenge, I am prepared to soar in the epic abundance.
Today’s Accomplishments
- One box, sorted and things placed into the ‘outta here’ boxes!
- The house is clean and orderly.
Today’s Setbacks
- Work made me take stock today…that was a long undertaking!
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Rebecca, I know from experience how challenging it is to have someone in your close proximity not feeling the love toward you. When it’s someone in the same field who you thought you were friendly with, and then they become your worst nightmare, it’s very disheartening. I let it get to me for a long, long time, and then finally I let it go, and they no longer have power over me. I now take everything with a “grain of salt”. I imagine it’s not easy when you see them day to day, but life is way too short. I hope the situation eases up for you, and you can focus on what really matters in your life. Good luck!