Real .. Life .. Now

with Debra Hogervorst

Ahhh… Now I Get it! “I Matter!!”

by dhogervorst | 4 Comments

imagesI have come to realize my last blog post missed the mark I was going after. In it I exhorted all of you to know that you are needed and that you matter. But what was missing was the vulnerability factor. You see, for years I have been able to see how much all of you mattered but struggled to see that “I mattered.” It was so much easier for me to build up others, to focus on their amazing-ness and encourage them to step out so I didn’t have to venture out and discover my own.  Now I understand this is the coward’s way of doing life.

Last week was a huge growth week for me. I came to the realization I didn’t believe with all of my being that I mattered. I know I have value and I know that I am created in the image of God, the identity stuff is not what I was struggling with. I became aware that it was easier for me to exhort and release others to be all they were created to be because there was less risk involved than if I had to deal with myself and my own insecurities. In a nutshell, I have come to live a risk-less life.

“Do you want to be safe and good, or do you want to take a chance and be great?”

— Jimmy Johnson
Dallas Cowboys Coach
I was faced with a choice to either ignore my current status or to make changes, find some risks and take them. I am happy to say that I have already begun to step out. The first thing I did was admit the growing desire I have to write, to blog, inspire and to influence others through this medium. So I signed up for a 21 day blog writing challenge where I have to share my writings with other bloggers all over the world. This is scary for me! But I am doing it! Today is the first official day of the challenge. The second risk I took was to join the adult tennis class offered at the Tennis Club I am a member of. I only recently began to play because my youngest daughter is on her school’s tennis team and I wanted to help her develop as a player. I was scared to death to let anyone see me play. I will never forget the shaky, insecure feeling I had last Saturday morning when I walked up to the group as they were warming up to play. The funny thing is no one even looked twice at me, I was accepted into the group with no questions asked.
It felt great to overcome these two fears and I know there will be more in the days to come because “I matter.” I have to practice what I preach for my message to hold weight and to change lives. We all have greatness inside of us and we all desire an amazing life. I matter, you matter, we ALL matter. This truly is something we all need to grasp for the world to become all God has designed it to be.
What might be in the way of you truly believing you matter? If you ask I know God will reveal to you anything that is hindering you from living Real.Life.Now. Go for it! Take the risk and challenge yourself and say, “I MATTER!, because the absolute truth is…..you do.
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  • Jim Kubiak

    Way to go Deb! We essentially had the same discussion at our men’s group yesterday.

  • Linda

    This is so true. We can easily lift others and silently doubt ourselves. We must be authentic and apply to ourselves what we speak to others.

  • I just loved your post, Debra! I am really trying to “get it” right now. Thankfully I have a dear friend who has been really encouraging in accepting God’s love and grace. My blog is part of my own steps in faith and change. This 21 day challenge is my first step. My hope is maybe NaNoWriMo next. Keep inspiring!

  • Thanks Kelly! God’s love and grace is so amazing! You are so loved! I could feel it in your writing. I so appreciate your encouragement. Keep shining!!

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