a better picture

it occurred to me today that i've been allowing outside influences or rather, other people's unrealistic expectations of me, to dictate my actions. it's kind of a long story, and not worth detailing, but the point is...i love people. all people. i dislike rude and mean people, but i love them. i love serving others and meeting their needs and i'm really good at it most of the time. i have bad days. i make mistakes. i'm human. buy i also have something that not everyone has. Christ in me...the Hope of Glory. and because of that, i can move forward even when i've messed up...and i can be better than i was yesterday or last week or whatever. i am not defined by my work or my service, but those things are part of the picture i give of The Father. and the picture i want people to see always, is Love and Grace. will i succeed 100% of the time? not even on my best day. but this new perspective is certainly going to help make things easier for me. and so will remembering this: i am awesome. i am loved. i am going to do great things. :)