A Good Kick in the Pants.

So I have this friend. She is amazing.
She gets me.
We break out into a crazy dance when we see each other & get weird looks from people, but it doesn't matter.
She has great fashion. She is absolutely adorable. She loves Jesus with a strong passion. She loves people well. She loves to snuggle. She has a great TX accent. She loves discipleship. She loves food and beer.
She asks me how my heart is and sometimes I don't want to answer. But I do. Then she speaks amazing truth into my life.
Over the last several months we have gotten close. Like, talk everyday...hold each other accountable, ask tough questions kind of close. Like...this is how to live life close.
I'm not quite sure how it happened. I feel humbled and blessed.
Today's convo had something to do with me spilling to her about how I was struggling with my insecurity last night. (this isn't an uncommon thing with me)
I found myself comparing myself to other musicians, wishing that I had songs like that...or sounded like that... feeling prideful, jealous and feeling like I wanted to give up, that I wasn't good enough, that I could never do what I see other people doing.
LIES! insecurity, pride, sin and LIES.
It was ugly people.
This was Ani's response:

"it's hard to not compare. but you can't let yourself go there. for one, you do what you do because god gave you your voice and writing abilities, and two, you sing and write for him and his glory. ems. (she calls me ems and I love it) you are unbelievably talented. but what makes you special is your heart for the lord behind that "raspy" voice of yours. every time you start to think that she is better, or they like her better, or i wish that i had written that, or that my words were like his/hers...you have to stop your thoughts and choose to believe that all that you have is for him and when we try to make it ours we diminish the glory that he could be getting out of it.
pray that the Lord will show you how to see yourself the way HE sees you.
pray that you won't be moved by the praise or rejection of man.
pray that your heart will be content in him alone.
pray that you will rejoice in other's talents, and not compare.
pray that you will be inspired by other artists and musicians, but not made insecure by them.
pray that your security will be found in the fact that your identity is soley in christ. you are not validated by your voice, your talent, your platform, your guitar, your anything.
you are validated because you are a child of the most high god."

uh. who is this?
miss annie hanks being used by my sweet faithful God. Words of truth spoken.
SO thankful. God knew what I need to hear. He is good.
I'm also reading this today
1 Peter 2:9 "But you are the ones chosen by God chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work & speak out for Him to tell others of the night & day difference he made for you, from nothing to something from rejected to accepted."
So good.
Thankful for friends who remind me of truth and who love me to ask hard questions and not be afraid to speak out.
You know I love a little sass too...she's got some sassiness...Love you sweet Ani!