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Katie M. Reid

Finding Grace in the Unraveling of Life

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in #TightlyWoundWoman· Uncategorized

Dear Tightly Wound Woman: Facing Fears

I enjoy writing letters and I enjoy receiving them too. This year you will be receiving 12 letters written just for you, Tightly Wound Woman. I hope you will be uplifted and allow yourself to unwind in the unraveling of life as you read each letter.
Picture


Dear Tightly Wound Woman:

You do so much. You run and you serve and you try hard to please. You aim to exceed expectations. You long for those pats on the back, the gold stars, and the compliments that stamp “approval” upon your soul. The message that you hunger to receive is, “You are enough.”

I understand your striving and driving. I know you’re secret…that you are afraid. You fear the bad news, the surprising news, and the this-is-not-what-I-was-expecting news. You control so you can feel safe, but you know deep down that you aren’t really the One in control nor have much ability to keep you or your loved ones safe…and that makes you mad and scared.

You are hard on yourself. You give hard punches to the gut and accuse that woman in the mirror of all sorts of awful. You bounce back and forth between superiority and inferiority and rarely land in the middle. You size yourself up to see where you are lacking and struggle to celebrate the grace-filled everyday moments. Be patient with yourself and be kind. Watch me unravel grace before you as you encounter the unexpected.

I know how hard it is. I know the inner workings of your mind. I know what makes you tick. I know what triggers your pain. I see the loneliness and how others misunderstand your confidence. I catch the tears that fall as others wait for you to initiate friendship and communication. I see how you just wish you could be heard without feeling like it’ll be “too much” for someone else to handle.

You have many strengths that this world needs. You are woven together tightly so that you are fit for the tasks ahead. Your intensity is present for good reason. But, it also can leave you lacking laughter and can easily cause a fret fest.

Let Me take care of the details. You don’t have to shoulder all this. I didn’t make you to do this alone. Let me carry this and carry you as we move forward.

I am capable of holding it and you together as we go forth.

I enjoy you.
I like you.
I love you.

Spending time with you is a delight. Relax the tension and lean into My ability. Oh, how I care for you.
Let Me be enough for you.

Remain tightly wound to My side; it’s a good place to be.

Love,
Me

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Linking-up with Testimony Tuesday and the #RaRaLinkup on Tuesday and then Woman 2 Woman, Coffee For Your Heart, Three Word Wednesday and Tell His Story on Wednesday. Come on over, link-up, read, encourage and join the fun.:)

P.S. Come on back this Thursday (January 15th) as we talk about being put on hold. I am delighted to be guest posting at (in)courage that day. Would love to see you here and over there.:)

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Filed Under: #TightlyWoundWoman, Uncategorized

Previous Post: « The Mourning Of Christmas
Next Post: Placed On Hold »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Karen Brown says

    January 13, 2015 at 8:49 am

    Katie- This is a keeper for my journal- to be read over and over. Thank you for speaking to my heart today… and so beautifully. This line struck a chord in me: “I see how you just wish you could be heard without feeling like it’ll be “too much” for someone else to handle. ” Such truth, friend. Great post!

    • Katie Reid says

      January 13, 2015 at 9:11 am

      I understand friend. Me too.:)

  2. Nicki Schroeder says

    January 13, 2015 at 9:01 am

    Beautifully written. We are all afraid of something, aren’t we? Whether we are bound up in our own identity or things of this world, sometimes the fear is just of letting go and letting God take control. I speak of this often in my own ministry, but needed to hear this encouragement today! 🙂

    • Katie Reid says

      January 13, 2015 at 9:10 am

      Thank you for coming over Nicki.:)

  3. Mary Flaherty says

    January 13, 2015 at 9:45 am

    Remain tightly wound to my side…that’s great! Thanks for the love letter and for being a vessel of His love and grace, Katie.

    • Katie Reid says

      January 14, 2015 at 8:19 am

      Yes Mary- let’s stay wound up to His side- the best place to be.:)

  4. Abby McDonald says

    January 13, 2015 at 1:14 pm

    Amen, Katie. I strive so much sometimes that I forget what it is like to rest. But he’s already done the work for me. I am free because of his great love. Thank you for this beautiful reminder. This is something I need to read again and again.

    • Katie Reid says

      January 14, 2015 at 8:19 am

      You are most welcome Abby.:)

  5. Carmen Horne says

    January 13, 2015 at 2:18 pm

    Katie I just don’t know what to say except, I needed a letter today. I see myself as I once was and also the areas I still struggle in. Thanks friend. ~visiting from Testimony Tuesday and #raralinkup

    • Katie Reid says

      January 14, 2015 at 8:20 am

      Thank you Carmen.:)

  6. Kelly Balarie says

    January 13, 2015 at 2:39 pm

    Amen! This is a letter I need – often. Ha! I loved this – “You are woven together tightly so that you are fit for the tasks ahead. Your intensity is present for good reason.” So true. You bless me again Katie! But, that is to be expected.

    • Katie Reid says

      January 14, 2015 at 8:24 am

      Thank you Kelly.:)

  7. Mary Geisen says

    January 13, 2015 at 6:12 pm

    These words right here-“I see the loneliness and how others misunderstand your confidence. I catch the tears that fall as others wait for you to initiate friendship and communication. I see how you just wish you could be heard without feeling like it’ll be “too much” for someone else to handle.” So good! I love how you described me and all the feelings that go with always trying to be enough! Blessings!

    • Katie Reid says

      January 14, 2015 at 8:24 am

      Hi Mary! Happy Wednesday to you. You are enough because He is enough.:) You’re not “too much” because His grace is enough for us all.

  8. Ashley @ Circling the Story says

    January 13, 2015 at 8:42 pm

    Love this Katie! I, too, can be a tightly wound woman. Either that or an I-don’t-give-a-d…n woman. Thank you for reminding me where my hope lies. Often in stillness. Forever in grace.

    • Katie Reid says

      January 14, 2015 at 8:22 am

      I understand Ashley and thank you for this, “where my hope lies. Often in stillness. Forever in grace.” Amen.

      • Ashley @ Circling the Story says

        January 15, 2015 at 2:39 pm

        You’re more than welcome Katie. 🙂 Thank you for ministering through your words.

  9. Debby says

    January 14, 2015 at 8:07 am

    Good words of encouraging truth. Stopping by from Meredith’s link up. Thank you.

    • Katie Reid says

      January 14, 2015 at 8:22 am

      Thank you Debby.:)

  10. Ruth Clemence says

    January 14, 2015 at 8:10 am

    Wonderful post. Thank you for sharing at #raralinkup 🙂

    • Katie Reid says

      January 14, 2015 at 8:21 am

      Thank you Ruth. Happy day to you.:)

  11. Renee Ratcliffe says

    January 14, 2015 at 8:15 am

    I feel like you know me well, Katie! I’ve always been an achiever, but God is gently prompting me to become a receiver – of daily grace and rest in Him. Thank you for your hope-filled words!

    • Katie Reid says

      January 14, 2015 at 8:21 am

      I love that Renee- “a receiver instead of an achiever”.:)

  12. Donna Stone says

    January 14, 2015 at 9:12 am

    Needed this. Tears.
    Thanks for posting.
    Donna
    visiting from #ThreeWordWednesday linkup

    • Katie Reid says

      January 14, 2015 at 11:24 pm

      Hugs Donna.:)

  13. Kim says

    January 14, 2015 at 9:16 am

    Yes, fear, control and trying to feel safe. Those words are the ones I struggle with. I needed this reminder. Thank you for such a touching and encouraging letter.

    • Katie Reid says

      January 14, 2015 at 11:24 pm

      I understand.:)

  14. Valerie Sisco says

    January 14, 2015 at 9:52 am

    Hi Katie,
    Stopping by from Coffee for your Heart today. What a beautiful theme you’ve chosen because I think so many of us are that tightly wound woman! These encouraging words are a wonderful reflection for us!

    • Katie Reid says

      January 14, 2015 at 11:25 pm

      Thank you Valerie- so glad we are not alone.:)

  15. Kristin Hill Taylor says

    January 14, 2015 at 3:27 pm

    Oh how I needed this letter. Thank you, Katie. I’m so glad you linked up this specific post at #ThreeWordWednesday.

    • Katie Reid says

      January 14, 2015 at 11:27 pm

      I’m glad Kristin- sometimes I wonder if the words resonate. Thank you for taking the time to say so.:) May your year of joy free you further.

  16. Cindy says

    January 16, 2015 at 9:44 am

    This is great, Katie! Thank you so much for sharing. Just the picture at the top – with the ball of yarn and the word grace – speaks volumes; then the letter itself. I have signed up to get the other 11 letters. 🙂 Praise God for you. May He continue to bless you richly!

    • Katie Reid says

      January 17, 2015 at 10:15 am

      Thank you Cindy. Rebekah Ellis created the art for me.:) Happy Weekend to you.

  17. Meredith Bernard says

    January 16, 2015 at 3:19 pm

    This is a beautiful and stirring letter, Katie, and such a wonderful reminder of how we are truly not alone and how we truly have a purpose in the way God made us. This speaks deep to me, “Let Me take care of the details. You don’t have to shoulder all this. I didn’t make you to do this alone. Let me carry this and carry you as we move forward.” I cannot wait to read the other 11 letters. A great idea! <3

    • Katie Reid says

      January 17, 2015 at 10:15 am

      Thank you Meredith.:)

  18. Karen Boney says

    January 17, 2015 at 9:59 pm

    Katie, thank you so very much for your comforting words. I’m at a point
    in my life when I’m scared all the time, for my family,for the violence
    and misery in the world, and for my inability to deal with it. Were it not
    for Our Lord Jesus Christ, I know that I would give up.Thank you !

    • Katie Reid says

      January 17, 2015 at 11:35 pm

      Karen- Taking a moment to pray for peace for you. May His peace that passes all understanding guard your heart and mind as you trust in Him. Galatians 6:9 has been such a comfort to me, and hope it is to you as well. Hold on tightly to Jesus. Don’t give up.

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Hi, I'm Katie (a Modern Martha, wife, and mom to five). I'm so glad you're here! Let's enjoy some cut-to-the-chase conversation over hot or iced tea, as we find grace in the unraveling of life (together). Let's exchange try-hard striving for hope-filled freedom as we settle into our position as a doer and a daughter—created by a Loving Father.

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