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Personal | February 14, 2020

The Love that Changes Everything

Happy Valentine’s Day!!! About a year and a half ago, I had a realization that if I could fully embrace God’s love for me, my life would dramatically change. If I could just get God’s love for me to travel from my head to my heart then my day-to-day life would look a lot different, and I’d be a lot different. Maybe even a little lighter, happier, joyful.

If I lived knowing I was loved, maybe I could get…

…free from the feelings of shame and self loathing I woke up with every morning.

…free from the constant feelings that I was missing the mark all the time (as a mom, as a wife, as a friend).

…free from the feelings that I just wasn’t enough or doing enough.

…free from the dependency of someone else’s attitude or opinion of me to know I’m ok.

…free from the need to gain someones else’s approval/likes.

…free from the need I felt to be “somebody”.

…free from the fear that if things don’t work out it’s because of a mistake I made.

And then what started to sink in is this: when I wake up in the morning, He sees me as completely innocent, beautiful, and pure regardless of what happened the day, night, or year before. He doesn’t remember my mistakes, my slip-ups with my kids or husband, or my impatient reactions. He’s forgotten them the minute they happen, and He wants me to, too!

He is so overjoyed with the creation he made in me, just as I am. Not just the pretty parts of me, but all of me. He sees and loves all of it. He loves it when I make a mistake. He doesn’t punish me for my mistakes! He gets to use it for my/His good and then His love gets to shine even brighter through the brokenness. His love is so all consuming for me, there is no need for me to look for love and approval from anyone or anywhere else. I don’t have to prove myself anymore. I am enough.

This is the kind of LOVE that changed my life (and me!). I’m not celebrating chocolate candy, red rose kind of love this Valentine’s, I’m celebrating the love that changed my life! Because God’s love changes everything. Happy Valentine’s!

 

 

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14 Comments

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Comments

  1. Sheaffer says

    February 14, 2020 at 7:22 AM

    Wow. So proud of you and love and miss you so much. 💗👊🏻🙌🏻

    Reply
    • Carly Lee says

      February 14, 2020 at 3:49 PM

      Love you, friend!

      Reply
  2. Angela says

    February 14, 2020 at 8:07 AM

    100% yes! Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  3. julie says

    February 14, 2020 at 1:00 PM

    Indeed! Bless you !

    Reply
    • Carly Lee says

      February 14, 2020 at 3:48 PM

      Bless YOU, too! 😘

      Reply
  4. Jennifer D Mountjoy says

    February 14, 2020 at 2:11 PM

    Thank you Carly. 😘

    Reply
    • Carly Lee says

      February 14, 2020 at 3:48 PM

      Miss you! 😘

      Reply
  5. Kristen Burton says

    February 14, 2020 at 5:21 PM

    This is what you were meant to do!! We have mutual friends and I have followed you for years, but THIS post!! Made me tear up! Love hearing your freedom story.

    Reply
    • Carly Lee says

      February 14, 2020 at 7:20 PM

      Oh my goodness, this is the best comment ever!!! It’s my “freedom story”!!!!!

      Reply
  6. Steph says

    February 14, 2020 at 6:01 PM

    The Lord, our ultimate Valentine!!!
    Fantastic post, Carly. Beautifully written.
    ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

    Reply
    • Carly Lee says

      February 14, 2020 at 7:21 PM

      Amen!!!

      Reply
  7. Gillan Hampton says

    February 15, 2020 at 7:32 AM

    Beautifully said!

    Reply
  8. KK says

    February 15, 2020 at 8:56 AM

    We won’t ever know how many people are blessed and helped and healed by the words on your platform Carly. You are a blessing beyond measure. 💚

    Reply
    • Carly Lee says

      February 15, 2020 at 12:40 PM

      Thank you, Kathleen! 😘😘😘

      Reply

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I’ve linked a few scarves I'm loving that I think would be great as a cover-ups. I didn't have a chance to check the measurements on all these scarves, so make sure that they're big enough! http://liketk.it/2QzmV #liketkit @liketoknow.it #LTKswim #LTKstyletip #stylist #houstonstylist #styletip #swim #coverup #swimcoverup #summerstyle
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For sizing reference, my personal favorite are Old Navy's bikini bottoms. I wear either a small or medium depending on how I feel that day. But like I said, they have all different cuts for bottoms, so you can find the one that's right for your body type. http://liketk.it/2Qzjx #liketkit @liketoknow.it #LTKstyletip #LTKswim #styletip #stylist #houstonstylist #summerfashion #fashiontips #stylehacks
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Outfit linked —> http://liketk.it/2QpL7 
Bracelets by @espacio_popupshop 
#liketkit @liketoknow.it #change #georgefloyd #listening #learning #changeisgood #wontstaysilent #speakup pic by @tellittoyourneighbor

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