In other news.....

I think that I may be just about the most abrasive, truth-telling person I've ever met. Okay, that's not true.

But, ever since I returned from Italy, it's like I'm a new person in that I've become much more comfortable in my own skin....speaking truth and putting up boundaries with tons and tons of grace and walking in the authority that I have at church and in people's lives. It's crazy. No more coddling people, no more giving so much grace that I don't speak truth, no more side-stepping or avoiding or minimizing or ignoring. I feel like I'm just going for it...speaking hard words when necessary - though seasoned with love. I thnk I'm that much more comfortable with myself (so that I don't care what others think) but I also care that much more for people (that I'm willing to say the hard, but important and true things).

-Calling some of those I lead at church to hold their teams more accountable and responsible
-Talking to some members of those same teams about unrelated (to above-mentioned) things but actually speaking truth rather than coddling them....calling them to something higher
-Calling out good and bad things in others and bringing lots of freedom in their lives
-Being honest with one girl, specifically, about the nature of our friendship and wrong expectations that she's had but also blessing what God's doing in her life
-Putting good boundaries up with people at work

It's just so interesting to me...that I've been speaking directly and truthfully but with so much tact and grace. Not getting defensive or anything at the things said to me. And, still seeing things clearly and speaking clearly. I like this new side of me (of course, others may not.....).