This winter I started reading some new blogs. I’ve enjoyed it. For the most part. That is, when I’m not feeling this low-grade sense of inadequacy and anxiety.
I started to notice it when I was reading this fun, creative blog for party and hospitality ideas. There it was……”BLAH. I’ll never be able to do that. How did she do that?!? She’s so organized and creative! (Yes, she is. God bless her.) But I don’t think I could ever make it look like that. Me. Me. Me. Try harder. Be more. Keep up!!”
Let me ask you……who told me to feel depressed about another woman’s gifts? Was it the Lord speaking to me? (“Honey, you’re a sorry mess. You’d better try harder.”) (No, that’s not the Lord.) Was SHE speaking to me? (“Honey, you’re a sorry mess. You’d better try harder to be like me.) (laughing) (No!) You know who I think was speaking to me? My selfish pride. That part of me that wishes I was more. Not the part of me that wishes I was more like Jesus. That part that wants to make a name for myself, irregardless of what the Lord wills for me.
The truth is: we can’t do it all. By God”s grace we can only do a few things well. So here’s the joyful challenge: to humbly accept the limitations that the Lord has placed in our life. We all woke up to different days. Different to-do lists. And …. we all woke up to limitations. Jesus means for us to live today with a peaceful submission to His will for us. Some days that means that I need to fight laziness and embrace my responsibilities. Some days that means being OK with the fact that I can’t accomplish as much as other people can accomplish. Some days that means that I look back at the end of the day and realize that I was pushing myself to do things that the Lord didn’t ask me to do…..so there wasn’t joy in my day. Some days it seems that all I do is practice kindness. (I have a hunch that those are my most productive days….hmm)
So be calm my soul. We’re not racing anywhere. Just seek to play your small part.
….let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.
1 Peter 3:4
I love this, Cynthia! It reminds me of the verse that came up in a sermon not too long ago: “What is that to you? You follow me.” My to-do list looks quite different from the lists of the women I most admire… but that’s because, well, I’m not THEM. Thanks for your post.
And I’m so glad that you’re “you”. I don’t want to miss out on how the Lord uses you…because He has happy plans for you, Mrs. Randolph. I love watching it unfold.
Your,
Cynthia
Thanks, Cynthia. It is my challenge to live fully but safely within the boundaries the Lord has set for me. Your words are very encouraging to me. Thank you so much!
….to live fully but safely within the boundaries….yes. So insightful. I guess that keeps us needing the Holy Spirit’s happy presence. Oh, the love of Jesus for us! He loves being with us…..every day! Amazing.
You inspire me.
Cynthia
Amen. Excellent post Cynthia. Thanks for humbly opening your heart for us to see and learn from.
I have been struggling lately because it seems I just don’t get much done in a day. I mistakenly thought that once all the children were out of the house I would have plenty of time to …….you name it. While i believe I need to step back and look into changing some things up I’ll do so keeping those wise words in mind.
Joanne
I can completely relate, Joanne. It’s such a new place of adjustments. And I have found that my expectations of what I could do here haven’t figured in my lower energy levels, my slowed down mind, etc.
In the midst of all the adjustments, one thing I’ve found really helpful is to talk through all this with Bill. More than ever, I feel like I have an opportunity to get behind his dreams. And I’m finding a lot of joy there for me.
That’s not by any means an answer….just a….”yeah, I’m right there with you, friend”!
Love you, Joanne.
p.s. I invite the input of you and other dear friens.
I feel like as I read this it allowed me to take one big deep breath today. THANK YOU. Most days, I even forget to breathe enough. (That’s probably why I enjoy the big deep breath at the end of a workout more than probably others do!!!) Thanks for always pointing me in the right direction.
I’m so glad, Dana! Enjoy those precious children today!
Cynthia, Thank you for continually sharing humbly and honestly about daily struggles and triumphs. You struggle with lots of things I struggle with and that is amazing to me. Thank you, thank you for helping me put my struggles into perspective and in God’s light. I love you Cynthia Haughery!
Hi, Kim. (This is really Cynthia. I’m at Marie’s house in Virginia.)
Thanks for your encouragement to me. I really appreciate it. You and I are more alike than different.
Your sister,
Cynthia
Speak, God! I’m listening!!!
This has been the topic of the last 24 hours of my life, Cynthia…and then I come home and read your post. God is so relentless in making sure that this dull, simple girl is hearing Him loudly and clearly. Thank you for being his mouthpiece. Yes…limitation. Not about my glory–about His glory. Not about my comfort and ease–about His glory. Limitations. ‘sigh’
Yes. And this is where our pride gets it wrong. It tells us that we will be happiest when we’re standing in our glory. But what is true is that our greatest joy is when we are standing in His glory.
How greatly the Lord loves us! He will not let us go.
Love you, friend!
Cynthia
I too have been into many blogs recently, but mostly home decor ones. I tend to covet their great finds, paint chooses, style, etc. I have to watch how much those thoughts consume my mind and not to covet their lives or homes.
This blog entry from you has put it clearly into one sentence…to humbly accept the limitations that the Lord has placed in our life.
Also, to look at what God has done for me and be joyful within those means.
I LOVE hearing you speak to us women and the way you point us to Christ each time. And what love you have for us…you come back and comment to each lady individually, thank you!
Shannon! I didn’t know that you commented until just today!
Back in the day……when we didn’t have computers at home to see what others had or did, it was easier to take joy in my home and life. Now I really do find that I need to guard my joy in what the Lord has given me. I want to be inspired by other’s ideas, but always be content in the Lord’s will for me. Sometimes my “wanting heart” pulls me around!
With you in this,
Cynthia