One thing I always take away from other blogs is that we
ALL struggle in some things and flourish in others. God has placed us in different situations
with different trials and successes. We
need to quit trying to compare ourselves to everyone! The wonder woman who does it all… spiritually
training and homeschooling her 7 children, canning her own vegetables, making
three home cooked healthy meals a day (that all the children eat happily), having
a clean and efficient household, running marathons with six pack abs, looks put
together at all times, being the jewel of her husbands eye and leading three
bibles studies at church. She doesn’t
exist…and if she does…I am utterly impressed and she should be applauded like
the Proverbs 31 woman she is! Maybe some women can hold a candle to her, but lets
be honest, we can easily put our impressive side forward on social media and make
everyone else gasp in awe. Enter reality…we all have struggles…we sometimes
don’t even get a shower in because the kids keep us on our toes all day...I know I'm not the only one.
Lets face it…I have seen what others have accomplished…been
yearning and jealous of their success or talent. I then am complimented on something that I
have done or am doing, but because of my tunnel vision I fail to see it as a
compliment because I am so enthralled with this other persons situation. I fail
to find joy in the place where God had gifted me, placed me, and had used another to
encourage that gift. Forgive me Father
when I have belittled a gift or situation that you found more fit for me than another that I
wanted. You know me better and know what
is best for me!
Where God has placed you may constantly change. I always
struggle with not doing “enough”. What enough is may change on a daily basis. I feel like I have been just "surviving" for so long
after the birth of my second born. I was expecting to have it all together
(whatever that means) by now and able to balance and accomplish a million
things while being wife and mom of the year.
The truth is…I cannot and then see myself as a failure. Since I am an all or nothing kind of gal, I
have to work hard at seeing little victories and giving them validity…like
keeping the house in somewhat order and getting to exercise that day. Little victories of not having my 3
year old on the ipad watching Netflix for Kids all day but engaging him in play,
learning, and conversation while keeping my baby girl from eating everything she
finds off the floor, and just maybe getting part of a song written...sweet! Sometimes I feel like I have so much to do on
a daily basis and not have much to show for it? Especially when the dreaded question comes... “So, what did you do today?” ...ugh...I know at one time the living room WAS clean, and
the sink WAS empty…but, hey, the kids are happy and fed. I find myself on
repeat everyday and struggle to find those “new mercies” every morning. But His word is true…and I will believe and
rejoice in it!
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
His mercies
never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is
your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my
soul,
“therefore I
will hope in him.”
Lamentations 3:22-24
The fact is, motherhood is not a glamorous job. I do find the
little joys in my children all the time but I feel like there are moments of autopilot
that I feel I end up at the same spot in the evening after running that hamster
wheel. Those moments of breakthrough I
know do come. When my toddler finally catches himself before he disobeys for
the 20th time that day...when he has a bite of a vegetable that I had
picked from the garden and prepared...when I get to cozy up on the couch with my
husband and children and know it is all worth the work and struggle. I am entrusted with a huge responsibility
of little people’s lives…to train, enjoy, love on, and inspire. How could I ask
for a nobler task?
My path and circumstances continue to change and I will
blink and time will pass and I will greatly miss this stage. Lord may I be grateful for every minute of
this chaos and joy! We are all in our
circumstances for a reason and God knows what we can handle and is overjoyed
when we give it all over to Him to help us through…and what blessing will come!
Pardon
for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thy own
dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength
for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings
all mine, with ten thousand beside!
“Great is
Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!“
Morning
by morning new mercies I see;
All I
have needed Thy hand hath provided—
“Great
is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!
"Great is Thy Faithfulness" by Thomas Chisholm
