Happy Sunday friends!! I’m just popping in, as we wrap the weekend up to share a little bit of a personal story. I love sharing bits about our home, and projects we might be working on, and of course my love for interior design, but I also love being able to connect with you on a more personal level. And even though we aren’t sitting face to face, in cozy chairs with a warm cup of coffee nestled between our hands, my heart is always to provide encouragement as well. I shared a bit in my IG stories last week, and I got so many messages back saying how much it resonated with people, that I wanted to share it here. So today I’m sharing a bit of a personal story.

Whether you find yourself in the midst of a journey in chasing your dreams, or just trying to get through the mundane of the day to day, I think it’s important that we share our stories, because they can spark hope and provide the most amazing encouragement for each other. And ultimately that’s my heart for you, to provide inspiration and encouragement, whether it’s in your home or in your life as well.

Recently I was sharing how not too long after I first started blogging the comparison trap would start to sneak in. I would look at what other bloggers were doing, and compare my beginning to their middle. I would get discouraged thinking “well I’m just not doing enough, because I’m not as far along as they are” or ” I don’t have as many followers as they do” and think that my blogging journey wasn’t successful if it didn’t look like everybody else’s.

I knew you before I formed you in your mothers womb. Before you were born I set you apart, I chose you, I appointed you.

JEREMIAH 1:5

The same feelings would start to creep in when I would see opportunities that other bloggers would get, and even though I wanted to be happy for and celebrate their success, sometimes I would find myself jealous of their accomplishments because I thought that’s what I wanted too!

But the problem with that, and one I had to realize, was that their story is not my story.

Therefore, their success wouldn’t look like my success. Their goals and dreams were different than mine, so it was silly for me to want to wish for the same opportunities that they were getting. Now I realize that seems like a simple enough realization, because it can be written down in 2 sentences. But this was something I had to work through internally, and really process the root of this issue.

Because until I did, I found myself stuck in a place where I couldn’t fully celebrate their achievements, and truly cheer them on like I wanted to.

I needed to be able to celebrate their success, without questioning my own.

Thankfully, over the years I’ve been able to put that into practice, and remind myself when I see another succeed, that it doesn’t mean I’m not good enough. It just means that is part of their story, and I have my own story to follow.

I’ve shared before that I believe each and every one of us was made with our own unique giftings and special qualities. The Sunday before my book was released, this scripture verse was shared during church, and it was such a warm reminder of those special gifts that each and every one of us have. So I wanted to share it with you today ~

⁶ We each have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your^[a] faith; ⁷ if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸ if it is to encourage, then give encouragement;if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,^[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Romans 12:6-8

I’m so thankful for this reminder that each have our own gifts and special abilities to bring to the table. Otherwise what a boring life this would be if we all did the same thing. I hope you feel encouraged today to share your gift with others, whatever it may be, and remember that we all have our own unique stories to tell.

Happy Sunday friends, and be blessed!

P.S. If you want to see my stories on IG where I share more about this you can CLICK HERE, and look in my highlights under “MEET BRE”.

If you like this post, then you might also enjoy….

Finding Your Dream

KNOWING YOUR WHY

WHEN COMPARISON IS ALL AROUND