Are You a Dry Sponge? 

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I was all ready to walk out the door. I’d taken extra care in choosing my outfit and applying my makeup because I needed to make a good impression at my meeting. With shaking hands, I poured myself a cup of coffee for the road–and missed. As the spill quickly ran toward me, I grabbed a dry sponge to clean up the mess. If you’ve ever been in a situation like this, you know that a dry sponge is not nearly as effective as a damp one. For me, the situation became a teaching moment.

If you only have a dry sponge to work with, you must be patient or you will simply push the spill into a bigger mess.

soakingI only had a dry sponge to work with when I first started to help women. I wanted to be a good mentor and guide others along their way in life but my greatest efforts were more effective in spreading a spill than they were in cleaning them up–especially when it came to building confidence. I could not give others what I had not received myself.

Despite all my efforts to look good, after my divorce I had a very low self-esteem, and until I learned to soak up the help I needed, I could not absorb anyone else’s messes.

Perhaps you are in a situation right now where you are all dressed and ready to go, your desire is to make a good impression somewhere to someone, but there’s a mess in front of you and, try as you may, the efforts you are making just seem to make things worse. Are you feeling dry and empty? Do you need to face your fears, forgive someone (maybe yourself?) or seek counsel? Don’t be afraid to get what you need because when you take care of your own heart you are far more effective in making a difference in your world. 

Hebrews 3:12 Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. 13 You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. 14 For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. 15 Remember what it says:

“Today when you hear his voice,
don’t harden your hearts
as Israel did when they rebelled.”

*****

Catrina Welch is an inspirational author and speaker whose personal experience with overcoming rejection, betrayal and loss–as well as her expertise as a cosmetologist, image consultant and Biblical life-coach–is empowering women to BE and LET BE.

Her latest book, CONFIDENT BEAUTY: Reflecting the One Who Made You, with the Images in your Mirror and in your Soul, is now available in your favorite bookstores. Autographed copies of all her books are available on her website at www.CatrinaWelch.com


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