Lately I've been listening to a few YouTube videos of motivational speeches given by a speaker named Lisa Nichols.

The other night, I happened upon one called "Be Perfect In Your Imperfection" and naturally I click on it. Everyone wants to know how to embrace their imperfections, right?

and she says this, "some of your best motivation came wrapped in sandpaper".

pause. read that again.

"some of your best motivation came wrapped in sandpaper"

I think sometimes we miss it. We are caught up in life. We get caught up in the moment of trial and tribulation and forget that these moments of trouble are shaping us into better people. Stronger people. The people that were meant to be.

Often, it's so easy to cry out "why me?" without really asking yourself "why me?"

Humans want reason.

We want to know why "bad things happen to good people", but in reality we're sulking in the moment. We're on our knees crying because were hurting and we don't know where the light at the end of the tunnel is.

One of my favorite scripture verses, Esther 4:14, says this, "Perhaps this is moment for which you have been created."

Every time I read that, I breathe a little heavier.

When life is handing us oranges and lime's to make our lemonade with, we often stand puzzled, confused, and frustrated. We forget that there is ALWAYS a light at the end of the tunnel. It may not be the planned light, it may be a different color than what we imagined, but there is an ultimately better plan waiting on us, waiting for us to be patient and open our hearts to bigger and better things.

These moments are shaping us. They're motivating us to love harder, give kindlier, speak softer, and carry ourselves better, because this moment is the one we've been created for. That death of a loved one, that breakup, that broken friendship, family fall out, divorce, or financial instability is the sand paper wrapped around our motivation to do better. to be better. to love harder, give more, speak kindness and wisdom, and to push onward to bigger and better things. it may consist of lots of long nights and days, but it's molding us.

It's molding us into more intentional humans. Humans who know what they want and who fight like hell for it.

Oh, sister friend, believe me, there are always better days ahead and no moment worth fighting for is ever bubble wrapped. So, stand tall, speak kindness, wisdom, and love regardless of circumstance.

Hug harder, laugh more, and know that sandpaper rough days only make the good ones better.