Join Becky Keife and I as we discuss if our actions define us.  This is a temptation easy to fall into but looking at God’s character can remind us we can be defined by his grace and kindness.

 

Journaling Questions:

• Do you find that your identity is tied to your behavior either positively or negatively?
• How would reflecting on God as compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in love and kindness affect our behavior?
• How does knowing God’s character affect the way we see the Lord, the way we see ourselves and the way we live and treat others?

If you are interested in more journaling questions sign up here to receive a journaling tool to help explore your next step to trusting God more fully.

See below for a full transcription of this episode 

[00:00:00] Erin: Hi, this is Erin. Welcome to steps to trusting. At steps to trusting it as our goal to meet you where you are in your faith journey, and to encourage you to continue to take steps, to trusting Lord more fully.

[00:00:12] Hi, friends and welcome to the show. Today’s show is all about making mistakes. Have you ever made a mistake? Have you ever felt like your mistakes or your failures define you? Do you feel like you can’t leave that behind you?

[00:00:31] If you do then the show is for you. We are going to jump right in with Becky Keife talking about mistakes, but first let me tell you a little bit about Becky.

[00:00:40] Becky and her husband live with her three children out near Los Angeles. They love hiking and doing trails. Becky is also an author. Who’s written books such as the simple difference, how every small kindness makes an impact. She also wrote courageous kindness, which is a Bible study that goes along with that book. As well as no better mom for the job.

[00:01:03] She’s a speaker and the community manager for day Springs in courage. That’s in courage with an I in courage.

[00:01:11] I’m so excited to welcome to the show. Becky Keife. Becky, thank you so much for joining me And I wanted to jump right in. So I thought we could start with this question. that we all feel when we find ourselves that we’ve made a mistake or we’ve failed at something.

[00:01:29] how do we stop from letting our failures and mistakes define us.

[00:01:34] And what’s your thoughts on how do we not let shame be what takes over, but step into something else?

[00:01:39] Becky: Yes. That is such a normal response. And I feel like that shame is a normal response to our mistakes, even if, and when we know it doesn’t need to be if you are my friend and you’ve made a mistake, I will be quick to say, that’s normal. Everyone makes mistakes.

[00:02:00] Mistakes are part of life. Mistakes show that you’ve tried. Mistakes are part of the learning experience. We can say all the right things, but I have found in my own life. Often that head knowledge doesn’t transfer into how I feel or respond in a moment. And so how do you combat that?

[00:02:17] I think first it’s just having that self-awareness and sometimes , just to be gentle with myself, because then I beat myself up you shouldn’t feel ashamed about this or you shouldn’t be so hard on yourself. And then that is its own cycle.

[00:02:31] Erin: It’s almost Like a double whammy, right?

[00:02:33] Becky: Like crazy self shaming. And so I think just to take a posture of self-kindness , to talk to ourselves the way we would to a friend to think, how does the Lord view me in this situation?

[00:02:47] And for me, that has been a really helpful and powerful way to start.

[00:02:51] Erin: So on Instagram you shared a story where you just felt like a mistake really took you to that place of shame. Right. And that was. Just a mistake. But how does this translate into when we make a mistake of sin?

[00:03:05] Right. That I think was this honest, like I took a wrong turn, but when it is that we have sinned against someone, how do you relate to it then?

[00:03:13] Becky: Again, I would say, thinking about the way God sees our sin, our sin hurts his heart. And so if our heart feels broken discouraged by our sin, that’s a good thing. Our sin is not supposed to make us feel good and shiny. I think it’s part of like that contrite spirit, that spirit of humility that says, oh, I messed up.

[00:03:40] And there’s a difference between Conviction and condemnation, right? It’s that condemnation that says , how dare you? You’ll never get over this. Someone will never forgive you. Those kind of statements are condemnation. And that is not from God. That honest conviction that says, oh, like I did, I missed the mark and I don’t want to live like this.

[00:04:03] And it hurts me. And I had just hurt someone else. And it hurts the heart of God. I think coming to that place of shared brokenness, but then also to know that God doesn’t stay in that broken disappointed place. He has already provided the way for us to move into redemption. And so to say, I messed up and I don’t want to stay in this pattern, or I want to move forward from this sin.

[00:04:28] Just thinking about it in that way, like, how does God feel about it? Acknowledging. The reality of our sin and that it does have consequences to ourselves and to others. And yet that’s not the end of the story.

[00:04:39] Erin: I love that. And I love how you’re saying, admitting it and turning from it right. And saying , that’s not who I want to be or how I want to live. I think there’s a tendency to defend ourself, whether it’s a mistake or it’s a sin. Right.

[00:04:53] And when you find yourself in that place, well, I made mistake I’m late.

[00:04:57] and so, my day has changed or it’s, I made a mistake and I hurt you, Instead of letting our identity be in the behavior or the successes, right. I think that’s part of the problem is part of the problem is we’re letting our identity be found in how we’ve behaved.

[00:05:15] And so this is the negative side of that. Right. But I think we did the positive side too. I think we’re like, oh, look at me I have my whole life together and look at all the things. Right. And it, I think it comes down to this identity , that we are finding identities in our own behaviors.

[00:05:32] What are your thoughts on that?

[00:05:34] Becky: Yeah, I think that’s so true. think this is true for all of us. I really identify with it with this because I’m someone who is wired as a performer, as an achiever. And so it’s very easy for me to tie my performance with my value. you referenced this Instagram post Erin and just to give listeners, the quick little story is I was on my way to a doctor’s appointment. I was taking the rare alone time. to catch up on the phone, on messages with a friend. And in the midst of her pouring out her heart to me, any port on my my heart to her, I realized.

[00:06:09] I have missed my turn. I’ve missed my turn by a lot. And by the time I realized my mistake and I turned around and I backtrack and I get to this appointment. I’m told we’re sorry, you are too late. Like the doctor can’t see you. And that was disappointing. But the fact that It was not in my city.

[00:06:25] I had driven a long way. I had taken time away from work and a very busy season. I had a range childcare. I had been waiting months for this authorization. all the things I just I felt that my mistake was a condemnation on my character. Like Becky, if you had, just paid attention, if you were efficient, if you were focused, if you were all these things, then this wouldn’t have happened and this wouldn’t be costly to your time and all these things.

[00:06:52] But I share all that Erin, because what you’re saying, I think is true. Like when we do well, than our identity bolsters. And then when we make a mistake intentionally, unintentionally, something that’s really just an error sometimes when it’s definitely in the line, then the column of sin, either way, like we can just let that weigh us down.

[00:07:14] And I don’t see anywhere in scripture that says either is supposed to happen. all your accolades. Yes. Then that should bolster you or all of your mistakes that should burden you. Jesus did a work so that we wouldn’t have to live by our works.

[00:07:29] Erin: I love that. Jesus did a work so that we don’t have to live by our works. That is a beautiful reminder of the truth. I am also a person who. Just a striver performer , and so when I don’t accomplish things, then I feel disappointed and allowing our worth to be tied to that.

[00:07:51] But when God sees us in that way of like, he’s done a work so that we don’t have to do a work. It’s a kindness and a gift that he’s given to us.

[00:07:59] Becky: Yes.

[00:08:00] Erin: it’s something that we don’t deserve. And meanwhile, we want to try and earn our way to God when he is offering us a gift that we don’t deserve.

[00:08:11] Becky: I’ve spent time in the last couple of years, especially really thinking about. And studying the kindness of God. And as I said that, I feel like that my performance is an indictment on my character, it makes me feel good or bad based upon, what I do.

[00:08:27] You know what I need to do, really? I need to stop thinking about myself and start thinking more about God and who does God say he is? What is his character? And so as I have done that I love the story. In Exodus where God revealed his name for the very first time to Moses they’re up on Mount Sinai.

[00:08:47] Moses has asked God, show yourself to God didn’t have to reply, but he chose to. And God says that his name is Yahweh. The Lord, the Lord. Compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in loving kindness.

[00:09:04] That is who God is. And so I think what we need to do is when we are in whether it’s a pattern of sin or just our every day, mundane mistakes, like missing a turn, being late to an appointment saying the wrong thing, having a typo, sending the wrong email, forgetting to change the laundry and having to wash 12 times because it smells burning the chicken, whatever it is like.

[00:09:29] Would we see our lives through the lens of God’s character. Do we believe that he is compassionate and gracious? Do we believe that he is slow to anger? Even if we are quick to condemn ourselves, do we believe that he is loving and kind? I think if we examine that it’s going to change a whole lot, about the way we see.

[00:09:52] The Lord, the way we see ourselves and the way we live and treat others. Yes.

[00:09:57] Erin: Yeah. As you know, this show is called steps to trusting. And I look at one of those steps in trusting the Lord is knowing his character. And so when I hear you say, we have to look and know that God is kind. how does knowing God is kind push you to trust him more?

[00:10:15] Becky: Because I know that, like I said before, that my mistakes are not the end of the story. And to know the often when we falter, when we trip or when someone else does, often, those are actually opportunities to see God’s kindness on display. So just in case anyone’s like, well, I’m not really sure that this is true.

[00:10:37] Let me tell you a little story. This was several years ago and I was late, apparently this is a theme in my life. It’s not that late, but I was on my way to church my husband was out of town. I have three boys. They were quite young at the time. I can’t quite remember maybe like six, four and two.

[00:10:52] And, you want church to be like a very calm, serene, getting ready on our way experience. That’s not always how it is. At least in my life. Please

[00:11:02] Erin: No. I agree. I have five, so

[00:11:05] Becky: Right. So it’s like, find your shoes, brush your teeth, stop poking your brother, please just get in the car. So we’re on our way to church.

[00:11:12] We don’t live that far away. I don’t know what possessed me to think that we should go to the 8:00 AM service. That was my first day. But anyhow, I go to a little neighborhood church. We have literally like 12 parking spaces. So basically parking is just in the surrounding neighborhood.

[00:11:26] And I knew that being a few minutes late, it’s going, gonna be hard to find a spot. Tiny streets. Anyhow,I spot a spot up close and I’m like, yes. And so the kids are being loud and I whip into the spot. Now, mind you, I hate parallel parking. And so instead of doing what I should have done, which was like, forward, reverse back, I thought I’ll just, I’ll just whip into the spot nose first. And I hit the parked car next to me. I hit a parked car in front of my church. Oh my goodness. So long story short is I can’t even tell it short because I just I’m back there. I am back there and letting Erin anyhow, I obviously felt horrific. I felt I have, I do this. My kids are like, mom, did you crash?

[00:12:09] What was that loud soon? I’m not worried about my very well loved beat up minivan. I get out of the car. And of course it’s a bright red, new, shiny SUV, and there is a sizeable scratch slash dent in this front bumper. I’m frantically trying to find a piece of paper. All I can find is a Walmart grocery list and a green crayon and the bottom of my purse.

[00:12:31] Out this note. I’m so sorry. here’s my name? Here’s my number. Please call me. I’ll fix the damage I didn’t mean to I’m so, so sorry. So I go into church. I leave my sunglasses on because I can’t hide the tears. That shame just has blanketed me. this was a mistake I should have avoided.

[00:12:47] I should have slowed down. I should have chosen a different spot, whatever. Anyhow. Days and a couple of weeks passed by and I don’t get a call. And so now I’m worried that did the note fly away? Did she not get it? did someone see and think that I’m a terrible person, all these things. And then finally one day my phone rings.

[00:13:05] I’m not thinking I pick it up and it’s this woman. I don’t connect the dots right away, but she goes, hi, this is Mary from cornerstone. I’m so sorry. It’s taking me a long time. I was going to call and say, thank you so much for your kind note. You left on my car and I’m like, oh my goodness.

[00:13:21] Thank you for calling me. I’m so, so sorry. let’s talk about the damage. She goes, oh, no, not at all, dear. I was just calling to tell you, I thought that was so thoughtful and your little note just made my day and it’s not problem at all. And I just wanted to tell you,

[00:13:34] Erin: Yeah, that doesn’t always happen.

[00:13:36] Becky: my jaw is on the floor. Friends. You can’t see it. And now I’m crying a different kind of tears. Now I’m crying tears of just God’s undeserved. Kindness and I can’t help, but think, I mean, maybe this woman, I don’t know her. I still don’t. maybe she doesn’t care about her car.

[00:13:55] Maybe she has plenty of finances to fix it. Maybe she remembered what it was like to be a frazzled young mom, or maybe she understands undeserved kindness of the Lord in her life. And she saw an opportunity to share that with someone else. And I need a minute because.

[00:14:15] Erin: fine. No, you’re making me cry over here, which is easy to do. I often do it on the podcast, but no, that’s, I mean, it’s so beautiful. The kindness. And like you said, again, it’s just a mistake, but you owed her a debt. Right. And she came back and I said, no, you don’t, you don’t owe me a debt.

[00:14:37] Becky: And so you asked about how do our mistakes lead us to the steps of trust? I think that mistake was an opportunity. I would have still had to trust God if she called and said, yes, please. Here’s my bill. And I would have had to take that step , of trust and be like, okay, Lord, you’re going to have to provide this.

[00:14:54] You’re going to have to walk me through an uncomfortable conversation with my husband, but also I see that it provided an opportunity for that woman to take a step of trust and say, you know what? This is just a material thing. I’m going to trust God. I’m guessing that the holy spirit was like, I want you to respond this way.

[00:15:13] Who knows that that was her natural inclination or not. But I think about all the time, how God does not work in isolation, he does not work in isolation. And so not that our mistakes, I don’t believe that our mistakes, our sin are divinely designed by him, but the scripture says God works in all things for the good of those who love him.

[00:15:33] And to bring him glory. And so when we falter and fail and say the wrong thing and do the wrong thing that does not cut us off from the kindness of God. It actually, because he’s a loving father, he’s going to say, okay, this is an opportunity for you to learn, for you to show compassion and kindness for you to receive compassion and kindness.

[00:15:56] This is an opportunity for you to trust me. And so I don’t, I say that like, and then I’m like, oh, but God, I don’t, I don’t want more opportunity to trust you. I don’t, I don’t want more of this.

[00:16:06] Erin: Yes.

[00:16:07] Becky: And yeah, I know that he is good. And so whether today goes as planned or not for you, for me, the, that we can trust him.

[00:16:15] And I guess it’s just each step of saying, okay, Lord, what now? What do you want me to do now? How are you going to use this? Help me to see your kindness.

[00:16:23] Erin: I think when we think about how God uses everything, it’s this, I think that we just don’t understand.

[00:16:29] Right. We just can’t comprehend. Like you said, it’s not like he ordained our mistakes and our sins, but he uses them and. I’ll tell you like the first season of this show. So many times I ask people the question, what caused you to learn to trust the Lord? They were like, here’s this big challenge in my life.

[00:16:47] And I think those are the bigger moments that point us to trust God, but they point us to trust him in the smaller moments too. Right. . I think, as much as we’re like, okay, here’s this big thing that happened in my life and now I need to trust God.

[00:17:01] There are still those moments where we go, like my kid won’t put his shoes on and I could act in my anger or I can act in kindness. Right. And there’s like, how will I trust God in those moments too? it’s so interesting how we often learn these things in big moments. And don’t pay attention to them in the small moments.

[00:17:21] How do you feel like you prepare for those moments of trust?

[00:17:24] Becky: I can think of two ways. Three, maybe this is going to sound probably pretty basic, but we just can’t ever underestimate the power of being in God’s word. And the beauty, the power of the holy spirit is that then when we need a particular direction, encouragement, comfort, when we have spent time in God’s word, then the spirit will bring that to our minds, into our hearts exactly when we need it. And so. Like you gave the example of, choosing to be patient or act in anger, with your kids. And I have been there many times. So the Lord gave me three boys and three and a half years which, that’s a thing.

[00:18:08] Anyhow. I remember when after my, third son was born reading through the book of James and feeling like I don’t even I’m so sleep deprived. I have like two toddlers and a baby. I don’t even know if any of this is sticking. But I was really actually purposeful to try as much as I could to memorize.

[00:18:24] And I cannot tell you how many times the Lord brought to my mind, be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry, for man, or mama’s anger does not produce the righteous life that God desires and or get in James. He talks about, if anyone lacks a wisdom. You should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault.

[00:18:47] in my anger, my kids were just driving me crazy or pushing a button or doing something ridiculous, like so many ridiculous things I could say. Like I had that choice. Am I going to trust God? Or am I going to react out of, out of my own self? And so spending time in God’s word, Is a way to prepare us for trust.

[00:19:07] I think another thing that is key to preparing us for trust is the practice of remembering. Remembering what God has already done. And so I do this in a really practical way by writing a gratitude list just to think about, okay, God, It’s easy to call up a big, but like you were saying, like, what are the small things?

[00:19:24] Like, where did you show up? Where, what are your fingerprints look like in the everyday moments? Because then when we get to that point where we’re like, we feel alone, or like, I don’t know what to do. This is not how things are supposed to turn out. If we are in the practice of remembering who God is and what he has already done, then even if we can’t see the way forward, even if this, the moment just feels like a mess, like when I was driving home from that missed appointment.

[00:19:49] And I just felt in that singular moment, this is just the pit, it doesn’t feel like that this is going to work out. I know that it would, but it didn’t feel like that, but then I couldn’t remember. God doesn’t work in isolation. He is faithful. He is compassionate. He is the way maker.

[00:20:06] Oh yeah. I messed up before and that’s how he came through and oh yeah, that missed appointment actually became a divine appointment because then I was able to connect with someone remember what God has already done, I think is the key to preparing us for our future steps of faith.

[00:20:21] Erin: How about if we circle back to mistakes and we circle back to how we feel in that place of failure.

[00:20:31] Becky: Hmm.

[00:20:31] Erin: how do we apply trust specifically in that situation?

[00:20:36] Becky: I think it requires trust to actively believe that Jesus actually did pay the price for my sin. That God actually says that as far as the east is from the west so far, has he removed our transgressions from us? Because when our mistake is all we can see, then we’re not seeing from God’s perspective.

[00:21:00] I think it takes trust to say, okay, Lord, this is all I can see. Would you help me to see the way that you do? And again, it’s that duality of yes, our sin hurts. God’s heart. Yes. That’s not his desire for us. It’s already been paid. It’s already been paid. It also takes steps of trust when we have made a mistake and we need to make it right.

[00:21:21] It takes trust to say, God, give me the strength. Give me the humility. Give me the wisdom of how to make this right. Like in that doctor’s office. I can, if I didn’t have Jesus, I would be like really snarky all the time. Like I have. I had that ability to zing the people and the power of Jesus. He has helped me with that over the years, but I wanted to zing this woman and to be like, you’re shaming me.

[00:21:52] I’m clearly distressed and you’re being really unkind. And I’m having these. Mental physical, emotional issues. I wanted to defend myself, And so it’s an act of trust to own you’re right. I’m so sorry. I was late, yes, I will reschedule.

[00:22:06] I’ll have to come back . And so. Trust is to see ourselves the way God sees us and trust to, move forward. I think we live in a society that like you were mentioning before, defensiveness is such the default. We do not want to own our mistakes. And, my husband, I talked to our sons about this all the time of owning their part.

[00:22:26] Cause they’re quick to be like, well, my brother did this and he did at first. And, but, and we’re like, true, but what was your part? Take responsibility, own your mistakes. Cause it’s only when you own it, then can you move forward in the right direction? And then I have to eat and apply my own words because it’s hard. Yeah, those things resonate for you.

[00:22:50] Erin: For sure. And , as you’re talking, I’m just thinking about the defensiveness. When we put on the defensiveness, we’re putting on our mistakes is saying I want to stand on this and be this person, instead of like, in Ephesians, where it says put on God’s righteousness and put on love and kindness and we can put other things on.

[00:23:09] And like you said, the humility to, to put on humility and stuff. You’re right. I messed up instead of to dig in and not admit, our failures. And I think that’s something like you said, with my kids, I’m asking them to do, and then I’m realizing how hard it is for me to do. I hadn’t experienced the other day where one of my kids was acting in a way that I didn’t like, I yelled over her defending herself. And in that moment I’m doing the same thing as her.

[00:23:38] I’m trying to defend my own. Like I have the right as a mom to speak, and like that kind of thing where she feels like I was Right, in this situation, I have the right.

[00:23:48] to speak, and, we can perpetuate the cycle or we can look back. and in that moment I had to say, .

[00:23:55] I did the wrong thing. I don’t want you to defend yourself and yet I am trying to defend myself in speaking over you as well, and to go back and to put on the humility, even with my kids to say I was wrong and to lean on the kindness of God, my actions are not the lens through which God sees me. Right. He sees me as a beloved child of God. And he, like you said, separates my sin as far as the east is from the west. And so to trust in that moment that that’s how God sees me is a way that I can step out and let other people see me in that way. And to repent and to, not be defensive in that way.

[00:24:36] Becky: Yeah. Yeah, absolutely.

[00:24:38] Erin: I think we touched on this a little bit, the belief where we feel like we shouldn’t make mistakes or failure reflects on our character and how these are. Half-truths that kind of want to tell us that we have less value.

[00:24:53] Do you want to speak a little bit about the value that we do have? Even when we find ourselves in that situation,

[00:24:58] Becky: Yeah. I think so many of the disciples and the apostle Paul are such great examples of this that our mistakes don’t disqualify us from. Being used by God, our mistakes don’t disqualify us from making a change.

[00:25:16] I just like shake my head at Peter. I’m like, oh, bless you’re just impulsive. And like, think that, you know And clearly, he doubted he, spoke out of turn. He tried to tell Jesus oh no, but actually, you’re not going to wash my feet and yet then.

[00:25:32] We see later God used Peter and these incredible ways. And so I just see Jesus didn’t give up on Peter. Yes. He corrected him. Yes. He said get behind me Satan, when Peter was going off his rocker. But he didn’t give up on him. And so I think that in our mistakes to say, I could have that belief of you messed up and this is like a red X on your back.

[00:25:57] this will mark you. this mistake will define you. You will carry this around. I don’t see that that reflects God’s character or how he sees people, and in the vice versa, with Paul, who had both, he had all of these shiny accolades and, he said in this world, he had everything to boast about. Then also he was a hunter and persecutor of Christians. And so once he came to know Christ, he could have also just wallowed in the horrible things that he had done. with a false motive of thinking that it was right.

[00:26:29] And yet he saw neither of these things define me. Neither all of my accomplishments or all of my sin. I can walk forward because I know the truth and I know the truth capital T as a person, and just want to fall on reflect him. And so it’s not that what we should take our mistakes lightly, but.

[00:26:50] I guess just to hold them loosely, I guess is a good way to say it. what if we held our mistakes loosely? Because when I grip on something, when I grip on a mistake, then I’m holding onto that guilt., That what if ,that I should have. But when I hold it loosely, then I’m allowing God to take it and turn it into something good.

[00:27:13] Like we were saying, turn it into an opportunity for me to see his kindness, his glory, a teaching moment of, of humility, whatever he wants to do with it. When we hold our mistakes loosely, then we’re giving God the opportunity to access our lives and do what only he can.

[00:27:29] Erin: And I would say, I think this was kind of touched on in what you’re saying, but I would say hold it loosely toward the Lord. Right. I think you’re touching on that, but I think that’s an important part of what you’re saying is you’re holding it loosely towards the Lord and saying I know this is who I am and I know you’ll forgive me. or I know. that I can’t live up to this standard that I, even, that I want to live up to, and, and instead of holding that in guilt, with closed hands to open that to Lord and say I wish I could be this, but you’ll still use me. And thank you,

[00:28:02] Becky: Right. And

[00:28:03] his work in us isn’t finished. he who began the good work in us will carry it onto completion. Like that’s his promise. And so to know that, if today you are struggling with a pattern of anger, what ever pattern is in your life that you want to break free of to know that.

[00:28:22] God is still at work. We don’t have to stay stuck in our mistakes or in our sin. And you’re exactly right when we hold when we hold it all loosely, then we give him access to transform our lives, which is really what God is in the business of. he wants to do a transforming work in us.

[00:28:40] Erin: So Becky, I know that a lot of this passion that you’re having just about who God is and his character and his kindness that’s coming across is because you’ve spent a lot of time thinking about this recently, as you were writing the book. That comes out in October. Could you tell us a little bit more about that book and how that could be a resource to us to understand God in a deeper way.

[00:29:02] Becky: Yeah. So I wrote a book called the simple difference. How every small kindness makes a big impact. And that story that I shared about hitting that red car on my way to church that’s actually in a chapter called undeserved kindness. And so really the simple difference It’s about living with intentionality, but not just so we can do more, but so that we can see more, see more of the people in front of us.

[00:29:29] See more of God’s lavish love and kindness for us that we’ve talked a little bit about today and to see his power within us. I’m so excited about the simple difference. It has helped me as I think about Lord how do I surrendered, how do I live in trust? How do I steward this one life well? I believe that kindness isn’t necessarily so much about going out of your way, but about having that posture of surrender is to say Lord, as I go on my way, have your way with me. Lord as I go on my way, have your way with me, and really that’s the heartbeat of the simple difference.

[00:30:07] And so, yes, it comes out October 5th. So if you’re listening to this after October 5th the simple difference is available. All the places, wherever books are sold. And then I actually wrote a a companion Bible study to go with it. Called courageous kindness live the simple difference, right where you are.

[00:30:23] And so that takes an even deeper look about what does scripture say about God’s character, how that affects us, how we ought to live that out. And that’s also through incourage and so in addition to the Bible study, I wrote, you’ll find in that resource stories everyday from other amazing women. And it just really helps connect like our everyday lives to the word of God and really is an invitation to say God, do a transforming work in me. help me to experience more of you so that I can share your light and love and kindness with others.

[00:30:57] Erin: I love that mission and I love the pointing to God and being in his word, because I think that’s such an important part. So thank you so much for sharing that with us and. I encourage all of you guys to check out Becky’s book, you can find her at Becky Keife on Instagram. You can also find Becky over at incouraged.me. That’s in courage with an eye.

[00:31:20] Becky, would you close us in prayer?

[00:31:22] Becky: Yeah. I would love to

[00:31:23] God. Thank you for being so kind. Thank you for loving us, right where we are today, in our triumphs and in our mistakes. Jesus, thank you that, That you wiped it all clean. Thank you that you chose to take on the punishment that we deserve so that we could live free and restored in a relationship with you.

[00:31:47] And Lord, I just pray for anyone who is just feeling those shackles of shame over her mistakes today. God, would you speak to her heart? Would you show her the next step of trust for her to take so that she can live open-handed so that she can experience your love and kindness in her life? Lord thank you that you are so good and kind and faithful to all things in our life for our good. Thank you that we can trust you because you’re so trustworthy. And so would you help us to walk in your love and your kindness today? In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

[00:32:24] Erin: Amen.

[00:32:24] Thank you. Thank You so much.

[00:32:27] Becky: You are so welcome. It was my pleasure.

[00:32:29] Erin: You guys, one thing that I love about Becky is she is a wife, a mom, a child of God who is taking the lessons that she’s learned and passing them on to others. You guys are going to want to get her book. You’re going to want to dive into the Bible study and to look into God’s word and be encouraged.

[00:32:50] You can find the links to where to connect with Becky as well as the links to her books in the podcast, show notes.

[00:32:57] If you guys enjoyed the show or were encouraged, would you consider sharing it with a friend?

[00:33:02] or leaving your review? Leaving a review helps other people find the show. So they too can be encouraged.

[00:33:09] I I hope to see you back here next time, where we will be discussing in further detail, how focusing on God’s

[00:33:15] presence

[00:33:16] can free us from the ups and downs. that we feel in life. when we try to find our worth by our works, but until next time I want to leave you with this reminder.

[00:33:27] from Ephesians two 10 for we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should

[00:33:36] walk in them.

[00:33:36] Friends and praying for you as you keep on stepping