As a former high school drama director, I often would have to remind my students of the fine line/vast gulf difference between confidence and arrogance. Being in a very public event, doing well at it, and having the freedom to “be someone else” for the evening had a dangerous tendency for creating divas! So it seemed my definitions became part of an annual speech on doing even secular-themed plays not for admiration, but for the glory of God:

“Confidence is knowing that you have specific God-given skills, talents, and abilities. Arrogance is thinking you had something to do with it!”

I am having to repeat that to myself often this week.

Now you might think it rather brazen of me to post on a public site that I am battling with arrogance! (And it would be!) So I will clarify right away that the struggle has been with the confidence issue! Job searches and resume writing will do that to you! Just when you think, “Hey, I’d be good at that,” you read the remaining job qualifications and think, “Ooops – no I wouldn’t.”

After several hours, even days, of “Ooops – no I wouldn’t” going through your mind, it’s easy to become self-focused and discouraged. It’s easy to forget what you ARE good at when you are continuously hearing and reading that you are not good ENOUGH for various areas of employment.

Enter: The Family Cheerleaders! (I declare every last one of them is running around with bright yellow t-shirts that have a hot pink “B” on the front!)

My family has lovingly encouraged me, reminded me of the things they think I do well, and guided me to books, websites, and most importantly, Scripture verses that help me to find and to KNOW what I do best! They’ve loved me in spite of being asked to proofread what must seem like twenty re-writes on my resumes. They’ve helped me word my skills  in ways that are accurate reflections of the God-given skills, talents, and abilities that are unique to me, and that certain companies could utilize in a profitable way!

In other words, they have helped to restore my confidence! Not only did God create me for His glory – but He knew and “laid out” every moment of my life (including my next place of employment) even before I took my first breath!

Psalm 139: 13-16 “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born.  Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.”

Knowing He created me, knowing He cares, and knowing His plan is already in place, I am CONFIDENT in the skills, talents, and abilities He has given me!

So if you’ll allow me to excuse myself from the computer at this time, I’ve got some resumes to send!