About the Author

Rachel Marie Kang is the author of Let There Be Art and The Matter of Little Losses. A writer of poems, prose, and other pieces, she is founder of The Fallow House and the Social Media & Guest Post Manager for (in)courage. Connect with her at rachelmariekang.com.

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things we love
& you will too!
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    • You are so, so right. That’s why I wrote the lines: “And this isn’t just a sentiment for the mamas — this is the ache in every heart of any woman who’s got a lot to learn. It’s the ache of every woman that needs time to stand still and keep her wreckage from the world. It’s the ache of every woman desperately hoping that someone will love her while she’s learning, secretly guarding her imperfections so that she does not infect the ones she knows and loves. ”

      I hope this grace meets you where you are today…as you love the people that make up your world. Much love…

  1. Oh my goodness how I needed this today. It’s like permission to let go and just let it all go out to God. It’s permission to be authentic and let people know you don’t have it all together. This has been a year of not having it all together for me. So much going on in my life. Mostly good things but things I can’t control. And then there is the wayward child that breaks my heart but I certainly love anyway. Nothing is ever perfect but then I realize God doesn’t want it perfect here on earth or we would never want to leave it. Thank you for this beautiful writing. God knew it was exactly what I needed to hear today!

    • Wow, Deanna. You say that my words have encouraged you, but your words have encouraged me. My oh my, it’s so true that if everything here was perfect, we would never want to leave. May God meet you today, and in this season, with the grace you need to release perfection and embrace honest living. You are loved by God and surrounded by people that love you—just as you are. Much love…

  2. This. Rachel Marie, I so appreciate your words, honesty & encouragement. This spoke to my weary heart today. Thank you!

  3. There is tremendous comfort in knowing we don’t have to have it all together. He came because we can’t be perfect! But He is. & He is the greatest teacher that loves while He teaches & perfects His imperfect pupils. Thank you for this timely reminder!

    • He really is the greatest teacher. Thank you, Jesus, because without him we would be so, so lost. Trusting these words will carry you with grace through your week. All my love…

  4. Hello!
    What a Wonderful Message!
    All of it is so True! I’m 83 &
    I thank you for all the words you
    Wrote!
    Many Blessings
    Sandy

    • Thank you, Sandy, for sharing your age and sharing that these words touched you. It’s actually so encouraging and humbling to know that we will always be learning as we go through life. I think the more that women share that, the more grace there is in knowing there is no shame in this. Wishing you so much love, this week <33

  5. So relevant. I am right there – I am struggling. What I am struggling with hurts me, my kids… and my boyfriend left because of it. The kids are mine – but his backing off devastated them as much as me as he and I planned on marrying. I am left praying for a little miracle to bring us all back together and to heal my heart from all the hurt it carries from the past (before boyfriend) and the effects from it. Mama IS barely holding on and I know I have got a lot to learn. I am learning that there’s a lot of grace in community – that you can’t get through the messy without the church. Learning to be honest about who I really am and what I am struggling with in the moment is so hard when when I desperately want people just to like me – but having other imperfect people rally around you in prayer and encouragement is one of the most necessary things to get you through. <3

    • Dear Bethany, sweet child of God, it is always precious when God shows up, whether through the encouragement of others or reading his word. But nothing ever will take place of Him being in our presence when no one is around and we are completely helpless in our pain. I have been there and from that special moment of being completely defeated by my own choices, He came and with the words of “it’s going to be OK that only I could hear, I knew that He was not only with me but for me!! We have walked together these almost 46 years now and to this day I will never forget that He said it’s going to be OK and it has been. In spite of all that has gone on in my life, and just like most people, it’s been pretty rough at times, but I can say with confidence “it’s OK”
      So just hang in there and cling to Him as if your life depended on it cuz frankly it does.

      • Loretta, these words are so sweet…thank you for sharing them. You are so right, God really is with us AND for us. Thank you for your testimony…you encourage us all…may God’s voice continue to be ever so clear for you. Much love…

    • Oh, Bethany. I feel every ounce of this confession. And more than me, I know God hears every word your heart longs to speak. About how it all feels hard and impossible and lonely. I am so sorry for what you’ve lost as you learn. May you hold onto the truth that nothing is to far gone for God to redeem. He isn’t finished with you yet. He isn’t finished with your family yet. May that encourage you to keep holding on…and keep hoping for good to come. You are not too far gone for good to come of this. Much love <33

  6. I love this! Thank you, Rachel! So thankful we don’t have a have it all together to be God’s!

  7. Oh my goodness, Rachel Marie, your words bring me hope and encouragement to press on with Jesus as my Lord & Savior even though most of my family, even my beloved son & wife, are not believers.
    I so often wonder where my loving Christian husband & I went wrong and God has revealed many of my failures. A part of me hurts everyday. At 73 this mama still has a lot to learn. Your words become God’s words to me. Thank you, Precious Sister in Christ, for your your strong faith in God & your gift to express it! You are forever in my heart & prayers. Much love

    • We could sit and wonder all day long about where we went wrong…or we could pray, “Lord continue to lead us toward what is true and right.” So thankful for your words, Sherill, and thank you for sharing your age…because it’s always humbling to hear that we are all always learning…perhaps, as it should be… much love <333

  8. Rachel,

    This reminds me of something I read by Ann Voskamp. She said “it’s time to take off our masks & be real”. We don’t have to pretend to have it all together. Show the real you to the world. Admit you have trials or just troubles managing everyday life anymore. God understands. He sees our struggles & hears our cries for help. He will get you through ALL your dark, hard seasons. If you feel like you’re in the dark, barely hanging on then let God show you the way out of this wilderness.

    Blessings 🙂

    • Amen, amen, amen — Beth, your words are so true. Thank you for sharing them…he is our light in the dark of night when all is confusing and hard and unsure. He will continue to lead us on in his good grace. I am so thankful for that. May he continue to lead you, even this week. <333