I realized this morning that I am that woman. You know which woman I am talking about…that’s me.
I am the only stay-at-home mom on the block.
I bake, and don’t kill anyone with the results.
I have lost a lot of weight this year.
I have a garden that produces.
I home school my kiddos, and don’t kill anyone in the process.
I love my husband, and enjoy spending time with him.
I….exercise!
Seriously, I received some dirty looks this morning from the other moms on the block as I jogged, and they headed out to work.
Can I just tell you that all these things, that some people envy, are precious gifts from the Lord? I can honestly say to you that all those things have been prayed over, longed for, and would not be part of who I am without the Lord. Seriously, that 40 pounds I lost this year? That was all God! The fact that I am healthier now than I have been in years? Not me…I wouldn’t have gone down that road this summer. The fact that I can RUN the entire length of my street (stop laughing you triathletes!), God has done miracles in my life!
I think we (women) have a tendency to measure ourselves against other women. Now, we aren’t outrageous and compare ourselves to….movie stars and super models (at least I never did). We compare ourselves to other ladies in similar situations as ourselves. We ask ourselves, “How do I measure up against____________?” I know there have been people in my life I have looked up to, and wished that I could be half as talented, mature, spiritual, patient…the list goes on and on. We perpetuate this lunacy by putting on a front that we have it all together. One of the best days of my life was when I finally admitted that I am a frazzled mama, and it’s ok. It’s a phase of life, and the Lord is growing and shaping me through it.
Ladies, we need to be honest with each other. We mess up, we yell at our kids, we get angry with our husbands, and sometimes, we eat too much chocolate cake. We need to admit it, and then help each other, encourage each other to do better next time.
As iron sharpens iron,
so a friend sharpens a friend. Proverbs 27:17
My life isn’t perfect, far from it! But I want to shout from my rooftop, “God is good, and He is making me who I am!”
But, someone would probably come tote me off in a nice white jacket.
Yeah…and your not suppose to wear white after Labor Day. :)