Patty Breen on Psalm 139
She Speaks is a conversation series that launches with each Ruah book.
For each She Speaks, we ask five women to answer the same three reflective questions about one meaningful theme.
It's an honor for us to share the heartfelt words of these women. Grab a cup of coffee or tea, cozy up, and enjoy!
Wisdom from Patty
On Psalm 139
When you read Psalm 139, which word or verse(s) speaks most deeply to you? Why?
O Lord, you know it completely (Psalm 139:4). Jesus knows everything about me: the desires of my heart, my fears and insecurities, my need to be in control sometimes, etc. He already knows it all. I do not even have to say a word, He sees and knows it all. This reminds me that I am never forgotten or overlooked by God. I am always known and seen, He never forgets about me. I find a lot of comfort in this especially as a very type-A, sometimes controlling person when it comes to the spiritual life and trusting God with my life.
What does it mean to be “enough”? How does feeling enough or not feeling enough play out in your everyday life? How does it affect your relationship with God?
To me, being enough means I am enough just the way I am, the ways God created me to be. It also means that Jesus alone has to be enough for me, no other person or relationship or desire of my heart can fill that space. This question holds a lot of personal meaning for me. This is my second tattoo on the inside of my right arm, “You are enough.” For me I took the words from St. Francis of Assisi: O God, You are enough for me. I need these words as a constant reminder to speak truth into my doubts or insecurities when they try and creep in.
I spent many years not feeling enough and not liking myself. It is exhausting and draining and destructive. While I still have hiccups of old lies I once believed, I am more whole and at peace in my body and spirit than I ever have been in my life. What does it look like to feel enough in my everyday life? Reminding myself who I am and whose I am. My only name is Beloved. That is the only way Jesus Christ sees me, the only name He will ever call me. When I remember that I am beloved, I root myself deeper in the truth that I am enough, just the way I am.
If you could offer yourself wisdom on this subject what would it be? What does your heart need to hear today?
The one piece of wisdom I can share is something I have had to practice in my own life. And that is the power in speaking God’s truth over yourself; even if you don’t feel or believe it. For a period of my life, I was setting alarms each day to go off at different times where I would stop and pray, “Jesus, help me to see and love myself the way that You do.” Day in and day out, I would speak those words over my heart and mind. When we can see and love ourselves as our God does, then we can claim our true identity as Beloved.
About Patty Breen
Patty is a full-time lay minister who finds joy in running, strong cups of coffee, and all things Ignatian spirituality. A love for writing, Patty writes for Blessed is She and is starting to dip her toes in the world of freelance. She is passionate about ministry to divorced Catholics and women whose relationships have been impacted by sexual addiction.
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