It's Okay (To Not Be Okay)

Hey there.

Hey you.

The girl sitting next to me whose name I don't know.  The boy across the lunch room who sits alone.

You.

My best friend, my worst enemy, my favorite teacher, my brother, my cousin, my fellow human.

Listen.

It's okay.
It's okay to not be okay.

Guess what?
None of us are.

Listen.

Stop.
Stop trying to fill your life with things and people that will never fill your heart.
Stop trying to please everyone.
Stop pretending like everything's okay.

I, Anna Potter, fallen, broken, sinful, crazy, weird, wonderful human being, declare that I am not okay.

Did you hear me or should I say it again?
I AM NOT OKAY.

And that's okay.

Why?

Because I have a God who IS okay.  Quite okay.  Infinitely and eternally MORE than okay.

And He is here, working in my not-okay-ness, creating a better-okay, and stronger-okay, a wiser-okay for me.

Even if you've heard this a million times, please would you just stop for a second and believe it this time?

You are not okay.
You are in need.
You are valuable.
You are precious.
You deserve to be full.
You deserve to be loved.

And if you don't believe my words, believe these:

"I loved you at your darkest."

Romans 5:8

"When I said, 'My foot is slipping', Your love, oh Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought joy to my soul."

Psalm 38:16

"So do not fear, for I am with you,

Do not be dismayed,

For I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous hand."

Isaiah 41:10

You.

All of you.

It's okay.

...Love, Anna...