There are days I feel like less. Depending on the day, it might be less skilled, less useful, or less liked by others. And sometimes, I just feel like less. Just. Less.
It happens when I compare myself to others, leading to jealously, anger, and feeling like someone else is better than me.
Maybe you’ve been there too, feeling…
…like less of a mom when you watch other moms who seem to have it all together.
…less loved when you see other marriages.
…less valuable to God when you can’t do what He calls someone else to do.
…less talented when you read or view someone else’s work.
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I have a vitamin D deficiency I didn’t know until my doctor did a blood test. I wouldn’t say it’s a big deal, but when I first found out, it did help explain why I was so tired all of the time.
*Among the symptoms are:
Low energy and fatigue
Symptoms of depression and mood swings
Sleep irregularities
Lowered immunity
To combat the deficiency, I take vitamin D3 supplements once a day. Pretty easy.
As I reached for the vitamin bottle one day, I realized that vitamins are not the only deficiency taking its toll on us.
There is spiritual deficiency.
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This week is my birthday. 🙂
I’ve always loved my birthday. (Even if there were a couple of years when moving into the next decade was a little hard to swallow.)
I wonder if God is like a parent—anxious to help His child celebrate her day.
Reminiscing…I remember the day I thought of you. How I enjoyed deciding exactly how to create you! The gifts and skills you would have…the plans I made for you.
And disappointed when we grumble about getting older.
My grandma wore the title of senior citizen proudly. She loved her birthday and until her last few years when she didn’t feel well, she just kept going, keeping busy and enjoying life.
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For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 NIV
Last month, I spent a couple of weeks studying the Book of Esther. I knew I would enjoy it and learn a lot, but I didn’t expect God would use it to speak to me. I shouldn’t have been surprised.
God uses what we know and where we are to speak to us.
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As a mom, I wish I could fix all of the issues my daughter has to face.
The dramas of growing up and fitting in.
Learning to control her emotions and behavior.
Figuring out how to live in this sinful world.
But even if I could solve everything, I know it wouldn’t be what’s best for her because there are lessons to be learned.
What I can do is be there for her.
And sometimes, that’s what she needs most—someone to listen and let her know her feelings are valid.
She wants to be heard. She wants to know I’m there for her no matter what.
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Written on
January 20, 2013 by
Kris in
Blog
“Come messy”, That’s what I read right before I closed the book for the night. I took a photo of the words and tweeted them out to anyone who might need encouragement like that–because honestly, more than I care to admit, I do. I seem to need constant reassurance that my cluttered heart, and my messy emotions are ok to bring before God.
I remind my children all of the time, that God sees everything–that there’s no place they can hide from Him and how that fact shouldn’t be scary, but instead ought to be a comfort. But when it comes to my own messy parts, well, suddenly, I’m not so sure anymore.
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It’s the beginning of a new year…the time when many of us think of changes we want to make…big changes.
We start out strong, energetic, and ready to make things happen.
And then it gets harder. We get sick. Tired. The unexpected happens and throws us off course. We’re so busy that we don’t have the time or energy to figure out how to do things differently.
And we feel like giving up.
Before throwing in the towel, I invite you to back up for a moment and start again. But this time, start small.
Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin… Zechariah 4:10 NLT
I’m learning to set smaller goals to work toward with shorter time frames.
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Ever felt a bit invisible? Ever wondered if anyone ever notices all you do?
It is so hard to not crave recognition for all the hard work we do day in and day out. It is especially hard to feel unnoticed in our efforts to serve the Lord by serving and loving people.
When I have had an especially hard day sometimes all I desire is for someone to pat me on the back and say, “Good job. I saw you. I noticed your sacrifices, your serving, your biting your tongue when you wanted to lash out at that person who wronged you… Good job not complaining when you had to do that one thing you despised doing yet again… I saw you.”
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