I’ll never forget the life-giving words spoken by a stranger in a difficult season.

My tween girl and I were on a Grace Trip. A time away in L.A. for mother and daughter to reconnect in the midst of a trying time. Our relationship had encountered a bumpy patch as we engaged in a tug of war for control. Many hours, days, and years had been invested into this darling girl, but it seemed to be falling flat as we entered tween territory.

On our trip we enjoyed delicious cuisine at the Grove. I purchased California rolls, but my daughter wanted something different, so I walked her through the line for Chinese food. The cashier rang up my daughter’s order, and she replied with a “thank you.”

As my daughter left for the table, the cashier looked me in the eye and said, “She is a very nice girl, I can tell. There is something special about her. Many kids don’t act like that. You are doing a good job.”

The words of a stranger were balm to this weary woman.

“Congenial conversation — what pleasure! The right word at the right time—beautiful!” {Proverbs 15:23, MSG}

At just the right time, this kind man stopped amidst his busy day and spoke straight to my discouraged soul. Amidst the crowd, above the noise, my spirit soared as his quiet, yet strong, words offered me hope.

You see, I am hard on myself. I constantly critique, over-analyze, and expect more of myself than is humanly possible. I work hard to stay on top of things — by doing too many things — so that I impress and stay above disapproving gazes.

I strive to be the best woman, the best wife, the best mom, the best friend, and I miss the mark again and again.

Since I walk on a high tightrope of unreasonable expectations, I am positioned to topple at the smallest criticism.

The kids disobey. I slip.

The laundry isn’t put away — ever. I trip.

The book proposal is rejected. I limp.

I fall from the heights and land hard.

You too?

This slipping, tripping, and limping leaves us unsteady. All our efforts seem in vain as we lose our footing.

Careless responses shake us.

Hurtful words knock us off balance.

All our practice doesn’t make us perfect.

So we walk around with eyes down — one foot in front of the other — and wonder if we will make it to the other side. And it’s there, at the end of our rope, we are tossed a lifeline.

Someone stops to lift us. They stoop to pick us up.

A kind word is offered, and we gain courage to get back up and try again.

Do you need an uplifting word today to help you rise above the pressure to perform?

Let me offer you one here:

You are amazing. You are one-of-a-kind wonderful. You have been given the gift of life to make an eternal impact on those around you. You are not perfect, but you don’t have to be. The Perfect One came on the scene already so that you can stand tall even after the fall. Lift up your head and see the One who has what it takes to sustain you and use you despite your hangups. Get off the tightrope of trying and hold tight to God’s Word. May Jesus’ vast love be your sure footing in a unstable world.

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Related: Encourage a friend with this beautiful 8×10 art print and these inspiring words: He fills my life with good things.

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