02 Mar Rejoicing in Our Portion

My kids love it when I read them the story of how God created the world. I love reading how in each aspect of creation, God looked at his work and declared it “good.” I like to think about this when I consider the work that God has created me to do as well. I want to create, work, live, and love delighting in what God has given me to do. I want to lay in bed at night and rejoice in the wonderful opportunities God gives me each day rather than scrutinize over things I “could have” or “should have” done.

Many of us moms have struggled or do struggle with perfectionism. Maybe we wouldn’t call it this. Maybe we would say, “I want to live a life of excellence.” But excellence and perfectionism are not the same thing.

While a perfectionist heart is never satisfied in its quest for personal glory or outwards achievements, one important aspect of excellence is found in being content to let the Lord and His love (not our agenda or drivenness) guide our way. As 1 Corinthians 13 says so beautifully, “I will show you a more excellent way.” 

As a recovering perfectionist, I’m trying to look at my life through this metric of measurement more often so that I might receive God’s grace for the work he has called me to do rather than waste time stressing over all the things I’m not doing.

Over the last few years, I’ve become a big fan of take out pizzas and big pots of chili. Let me explain a bit. When my first child was just a baby, I read the book, “A Life that Says Welcome,” by Karen Ehman.

In it, she shares the story of a woman who was her spiritual mentor who invited her over regularly. Her house was not fancy, the meals she offered were as simple as they come – perhaps just a sandwich and a drink – but her heart and home were open and Karen’s soul was always nourished when she spent time in this kind woman’s home.

I took a lesson from this story in recognizing what I don’t need to do in order to be hospitable: I don’t need to host elaborate dinner parties or plan fancy meals for guests (although it can be nice if I have the time and energy!), but I do want to keep my door and ear open to my neighbors and friends.

I think we as moms need to give ourselves permission to be simple in our hospitality. We can order take out pizza and have people over to share it. We can make a double batch of chili and invite the neighbors over. I like having a clean house, but I have come to accept that with lots of small kids, my house is just not going to be spotless in this season of life. Maybe you’re in the same boat. It’s okay!

Embracing Our Limitations

Here are a few other things I’ve realized over the last decade that I don’t need (and others I do want):

I don’t need to participate in multiple ministries or service projects, but I do want to use the gifts God has given me to serve my local church and my neighborhood in ways that I’m capable of in this season.

I don’t need to stay constantly busy so I can feel maximally productive, but I do want to enjoy and fully embrace God’s presence with me each day and delight in the work He’s given me to do.

I don’t need to train for and run in marathons (not that there is anything wrong with that!!) but I do want to exercise regularly for the benefits it brings to my mental, emotional, and physical health.

I don’t need to have multiple hours in prayer and Bible study each day (though it is wonderful when an opportunity opens up for this), but I do want to pursue Christ daily through prayer and the study of His Word. 

Here’s what is boils down to: I want to be satisfied with regularly investing in the people and places that matter most to me rather than attempting to bite off more than I can chew in a “full to capacity” season of motherhood and life.

How about you? What don’t you need more of in your life? And where is God calling you to make small but regular investments of your time, prayers or resources?

Lord, thank you that we are women with limited capacities. This reminds us that we are finite and need you all the time. Thank you that you have called each of us to some great work in this season of our lives, but you haven’t called us to do everything. Help us to do small things with great love, trusting in you to guide and establish the work of our hands for our good and your glory. Amen.