How Do You Measure Up?

Photo Credit: Chandra Marsono

May I share something with you? I’m having one of those days months where no matter how hard I try, I don’t feel like I measure up.

We live in an age where I can compare myself to thousands of other women doing the same job I’m doing. I can read their blogs or spend time on Pinterest and catch glimpses of all the things they’re doing that I’m not. And never could.

I’ve never baked a flawlessly decorated cake for my son. I don’t sew or create magnificent scrapbook pages. The messiness of a sandbox gets the better of me sometimes and the thought of mud puddles or keeping any type of bug as a pet sends me into the fetal position.

The other night during my prayer time, I told Him as much. I shed my heart and mentioned all the things I am not good at that I feel I should be. Would you believe I thought I heard Him chuckle? He may have. I like to think I humor Him at times.

On days like this, I tend to go back through my journal and reflect on how far I’ve come. See what He’s brought me through and how I’ve grown because of it. And tonight, it was no accident when I stumbled on these verses:

In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well…If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Romans 12:6-8

Oh friends, how easily I forget about grace. We’re not designed to be proficient in every field, hobby, category or activity. God doesn’t expect me to parent or run my household the same as whomever I have put on the pedestal lately.
He simply wants me to use what He has given me well. For His glory.

And there are things I do well. God has given me gifts, talents, and attributes designed specifically for me — you can say the same.

I take my pen out and list them one by one. I scribe teaching, praying for others, encouraging, and more down in a linear fashion. So when it’s done, I have my own tool to see how I’m measuring up. For these are the gifts God’s given me. If I use them well, I know He will do the rest. His glory will prevail.

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. I Corinthians 15:58

How about you? How do you measure yourself? What gifts has God given you in His grace? I’d love to hear.