"No."

It's a hard word to say. I've said it more times in the past month than I have in...wow, I don't remember saying no that much. I've been reading the book Boundaries. It confirmed what I already knew...I'm a people-pleaser. I hate letting others down. Saying no makes me feel selfish because the Bible tells us to "die to self," right?

One verse that the book mentions has really spoken to me though. Jesus says, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice..." To me, it means to serve others because you are passionate, not because you have to, not because others will think less of you if you don't, not because you need to feed your own ego. We serve out of the gratefulness and abundance that God has provided.

This relevation has truly impacted my life. I'm no longer tied down to good things, so that I can be free to grab the great things that God has set before me. Saying no is becoming easier every time I do it. No more excuses or apologies, just a simple no will do.