Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Comparing Myself with....


Do you ever feel as if you do not measure up?  I do all the time.  I love reading blogs, websites and books on homemaking.  But the more I read the more I feel as if I am not measuring up.  Then it hit me...measuring up to whom?  I'm trying to be like every other woman out there. I see posts about people sewing, decorating and making 3 course meals often.   I'm not allowing God to mold me into the wife and mother He wants me to be.   I'm trying to be like everyone else.  That is causing me to feel like I'm being pulled in many different directions.

I would love to be like that woman in the picture.  I have an apron, but honestly I always forget to put it on.  Simply put...I find it gets in my way.   Does that make me any less of a homemaker?  I do not think so.  I like the sew and crochet,  but I find it difficult to follow a pattern.  Our home looks like people live here on any given day.  I do not stress over everything being put in it's place.  I want people to feel comfortable being here....including my family.   It doesn't mean our house is messy...just lived in. 

I was reading in Colossians the other day.  One particular passage stood out to me Colossians 3:23-24, "And whatever, you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ."

No matter what we are working on or at, we need to be doing it for the Lord...no one else.   I've been trying too hard to impress others.  Don't get me wrong...I love my family and doing things for them.  But I think I've had the wrong focus all this time.  I'm to be working hard, but my focus has to be on God.  Not keeping up with those I think are doing it "right".   I need to keep my focus on God and what He wants from me.  If I do that then the rest will fall into place.

Does any of this make sense to you?  I pray it was an encouragement to someone.  God gave us the example of the Proverbs 31 wife as a model not a mold. 

This post is being linked with the Thankful Homemaker.

7 comments:

Heidi said...

Makes sense to me because I'm so right there with you! I always try to just be me on my blog, so as not to come across as some perfect homeschooler or homemaker. Things are far from perfect around here. That's why we are starting Homeschool Mosaics - we'll all be keeping it real over there and hope to bless others as a result of our transparency. Great post!

Anonymous said...

Good thoughts, Jen. I am guilty of that also. Boy, between your blog and facebook, you are giving me a lot to deal with today. I guess I am thankful, although "ouch" comes to mind as well!

Anonymous said...

Sorry - the above comment was from Pam.

Renee said...

Makes a whole lot of sense to me and I so needed to hear this today. It's helped so much with an issue I'm faciing. Thank you!

Marci Ferrell said...

Beautiful post Jen - it is such a reminder we all need everyday. I am sharing this one on my Facebook page. Thank you so much for linking up <3

Carole said...

Nice post. You might like this post about being "far from perfect". http://caroleschatter.blogspot.co.nz/2012/04/im-worth-it.html

Mary said...

I have struggled with this myself.I need to be content with who God made me & that he has given me the life, family & abilities he wants me to have to serve him with! & nobody is perfect. Blogs are wonderful & I enjoy visiting them But, have to remember that what is seen is usually the good stuff, which is right we shouldn't air our dirty laundry so everybody can read about it. All this said, we need to have our focus on our Savior & everything we do should be to glorify him!