A week or so ago I posted something on Facebook about that “perfect” mom that’s all cute and skinny and drives a fancy SUV and how that seems so unreal to me. How that seems to completely unlike any reality that I have ever known or experienced. With Anyone. Ever. This wasn’t my way of judging someone because I have come to understand in my few years on this planet that EVERYONE has their own struggles. That “perfect” appearing mom probably has her own insecurities. And I can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt that she is not perfect.
I realized today when I dropped off my kiddo at school that in my struggle to strive for perfection that it just can’t happen. I can even strive for great and I’ll fall short…a lot.
That’s a little discouraging and frustrating.
I want to be the BEST mom and wife and friend and sister and auntie and co-worker and and and….that I can possibly be. I want to use my time wisely. Treasure moments with my kids. Have a clean home. Be a good cook that prepares healthy meals. Have a healthy body. Be a friend that is there when needed and beyond. Be a disciple of Christ. Lead others to Christ. Be respected at work. Be respected among my peers. Enjoy my own life and give myself what I need to be happy. And the list could go on and on.
I realized today that I will never get it all right all of the time. God didn’t design us this way. We were made in His perfect image, but try as we might, HE is the only one that can attain perfection. We were created with a free will and frail bodies. We are only meant to be here for a short while and so we are charged to make an impact using the talents that he gave us within our sphere of influence (Read here to find out more about how to use your talents – Matthew 25:14-30). God created each of us so uniquely that we will NEVER look like that “perfect mom”. We’re not supposed to! Did you hear me ladies? We are NOT SUPPOSED to look like her.
God made you for you. Just you. No one else gets to be you. They can sure try, but they will never be you. And they shouldn’t want to.
I think there’s such freedom in that. It’s liberating to know that I was created for this time. For these roles. For a purpose. My job is to dig into my relationship with Him and do the very best that I can.
And THAT….is as perfect as we’ll ever get.
- We’ll fall.
- We’ll fail.
- We’ll forget.
- We’ll get angry.
- We’ll sin.
- We’ll yell.
- We’ll lose perspective.
- We’ll get it all wrong at some point.
- We just will.
God’s loving arms will pick us up. Dust us off. Kiss our owies. And send us on our way. Just like our earthly parents would. *If your parents are like mine anyway….I acknowledge that not all parents are created equally.
Don’t be discouraged my friends. You were created to have success too. To have perfect moments. To reach your goals. But we have to keep moving forward. Every day. Choose in each moment to make the best of it. Make a difference where you can and let go of the ones you can’t save. God will walk this journey with you and gently be your guide….if you let Him.
I love you friends. I hope I can be an encouragement to you today. That’s one of the things I strive for. To be a light. To be a good friend. We (my kids and I) pray for that every day.
Lord, help me to be a light in a dark world. Help others to see Jesus in me so that they might want You for themselves. Calm my soul when I start to stress and worry over things I can’t control. Help me to be content in the place you have me. I am so ever grateful for the life you’ve given me. Help me to walk in your ways and follow the path you set before me. Forgive me for trying to be something I’m not. Forgive me for comparing myself to others. Forgive me for the bad attitude that I have when I see someone that has something I want. Protect my loved ones today dear Lord and give them opportunities to shine for You. In Jesus’ precious name….and all of God’s people said….AMEN!
Sueann is a little bit country... 