Here’s a try-hard girl sharing common-sense grace, and who’ll make you laugh out loud! I love Melanie Shankle’s ability to point us to Christ as we laugh at life as we find it. She’s the New York Times bestselling author of three books. Melanie speaks at events nationwide and writes on her blog, Big Mama.
She’s an Aggie (Class of 1993) and a San Antonian, where she lives with her husband Perry and daughter, Caroline. In her spare time, she enjoys online shopping, laughing at things that are often inappropriate, and spending time with her family and friends. Oh, and writing books! Her newest book, Everyday Holy, released this March.
What would you say to encourage the woman who’s inner critic is so loud she has a hard time hearing the truth that God is just crazy about her?
I would say that our inner critic is our own worst enemy. God created you just the way you are, with all your flaws and failings, because the world needs you. He will use even the weakest parts of you when you allow him to and that inner voice that tells you aren’t enough is a liar. Believe that you are who He says you are. You are loved, cherished, and valued beyond measure. Your name is engraved on the palms of His hands.
How has God helped you trust His grace and love for you?
I think it’s a cumulative effect. Any time I start to doubt his grace and love, I look back over all the times when He has been so much better to me than I deserve. He gave me grace when I couldn’t give it to myself and He has filled my life with so much goodness and joy.
What counsel would you give to the woman who wants to live a life of grace, but is having a hard time moving away from doing all-the-things, in an attempt to prove her value?
Not one of us will ever be good enough. There will always be critics and people who find fault with us, but God loves us just as we are. He’s our real love story. And it’s nothing you can earn. We need to quit focusing on feeling like we need to do more or be more and realize that He ultimately wants us to live out Micah 6:8…act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly.
In Sparkly Green Earrings, you wrote about how you were under the illusion that you could give Caroline a perfect childhood. What would you say to the mama who still struggles thinking that she can provide perfection for her kids?
It’s just not possible. And often in our quest for perfection, we’re missing the joy found in the messiness. Real life and real love are about giving and showing grace and mercy. We are going to make mistakes as moms. We will yell too much or not enough. We will lose our patience and lose our way, but God will cover every single one of our mistakes if we trust Him. We are flawed people raising flawed people and we can’t do it without his help.
You can find Melanie:
Win a copy of Sparkly Green Earrings. Here’s how!
Comment below and you’re entered to win one (1) copy of Melanie’s Sparkly Green Earrings. One person who comments below will be randomly selected as the winner and notified by 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 3, 2018.
Love this- “We are flawed people raising flawed people and we can’t do it without his help.”
Eileen, Amen! I loved that line too. You’re entered to win a copy of her book. I’ll notify the winner on Thursday, 5/3, by 9:30 p.m. CST. -jill
Eileen – I so loved that line too. You’re entered to win a copy of her book. I’ll notify the winner on Thursday, 5/3, by 9:30 p.m. CST. -jill
“…often in our quest for perfection, we’re missing the joy found in the messiness.” Yep!
Nicole, Doesn’t Melanie have so much wisdom! You’re entered to win a copy of her book. I’ll notify the winner on Thursday, 5/3, by 9:30 p.m. CST. -jill
I am going to have to get this book! The Sparkly Green Earrings! My friend Jennifer Fulwiler is friends with her as well and was talking about this book. Thank you for writing more about this incredible woman I obviously need to read!
Liv, you will LOVE her! Your personalities remind me of each other – full of life and fun! You’re entered to win a copy of her book. I’ll notify the winner on Thursday, 5/3, by 9:30 p.m. CST. -jill
Needed this inspiration. Yes, we need to quit trusting our feelings and instead believe the truth.
Theresa, God is so good to always point us back to Him! You’re entered to win a copy of her book. I’ll notify the winner on Thursday, 5/3, by 9:30 p.m. CST. -jill
God will
Cover every one of or mistakes…. love covers a multitude of sins! This is a constant prayer. It’s hard to trust but not trusting doesn’t help either. One day at a time, real conversations and honesty in prayer, real acceptance of grace so we may give grace.
Sherry – yes! It is hard to trust, but not trusting doesn’t help either! So well said. You’re entered to win a copy of her book. I’ll notify the winner on Thursday, 5/3, by 9:30 p.m. CST. -jill
This is a constant struggle of mine, as I need to trust and forgive, which is so very hard. Having difficult times.
Renee – Trusting and forgiving are difficult, but Christ is so good to meet us right where we are and He gives us exactly what we need when we need it! You’re entered to win a copy of her book. I’ll notify the winner on Thursday, 5/3, by 9:30 p.m. CST. -jill
My inner critic IS my own worst enemy, and I need to constantly be reminded that I will NEVER be good enough and that is OKAY… that it’s not a flaw, and not a fatal flaw at that. This was such a timely post Jill. Thank you for sharing Melanie’s words. XOXO
Beth – Thank you for reading Beth and for reminding all of us that we’re not enough without Christ, who is just crazy about us! You’re entered to win a copy of her book. I’ll notify the winner on Thursday, 5/3, by 9:30 p.m. CST. -jill
Beautiful and thank you for giving us a chance to win
Noelle – God gives us just the right words to read when we need to read them, right?!?! Thanks for reading! You’re entered to win a copy of her book. I’ll notify the winner on Thursday, 5/3, by 9:30 p.m. CST. -jill
Adore Melanie’s authenticity here and in all of her writing. As a mama who started this whole gig on a mission to give them perfection; it took the near destruction of my marriage and utter undoing of myself to recognize that one of the best things we can do for our kids is to let them see us struggle with our faith; because it will show them just how big our God is, and what He is capable of.
when I reached the point of no return; God stepped in with grace in the form I was capable of receiving. And it’s been a whole new ballgame ever since.
Erin, thank you so much for sharing how God stepped in with His grace and showed you how big He is! You’re entered to win a copy of her book. I’ll notify the winner on Thursday, 5/3, by 9:30 p.m. CST. -jill
Liv, you’re the winner! Thank you to all for reading Melanie’s wise words and for commenting. Come back real soon! -jill