I think that as women we really struggle with looking at others and finding that we are short of what we desire to be. We see women around us who juggle so many things, and often in our perception, better than we ever good. We compare ourselves and we are tempted to look at ourselves and be found wanting.
* Maybe its a mother of many, who seems to have endless energy, patience and grace as she adds to her family and nurtures her brood. We think ...how does she do that?
* Or, a mother who homeschools her few or many, but does it a way that you are left wondering
how in the world YOU ever thought you could do this thing?
* Or, the working mom who has to supplement her hard-working husbands job, who ALSO
homeschools AND is a Cub Scout mom ...how does she not lose her mind?
* Or, the newly single mother who is going through the pain of loss and betrayal, who is learning to support her and family on her own, who is ALSO homeschooling AND going to school to prepare for their future...how is it possible one woman can do all this?
* Or, the minister's wife who raises many children, while running a home business, homeschooling, and preparing for the mission field ...when does she sleep?
* Or, the mom who is home alone for days, weeks or months on end, while her husband serves his community or country, while nurturing and teaching her own children, serving her church family,
ministering to new mothers, homeless, friends and family ...how does she do all that?
* Or, the mom who nurtures or own children, beautifully manages her home, supports and participates in her husbands ministry with youth AND volunteers at community outreach programs, including advocating for abused and neglected children ...when does she find the time for that?
* Or, the mother of many who loves to minister to mothers who have given up their children for adoption, by adopting their little ones and reaching out to these moms ...where does she get the resources to accomplish all these things?
We can easily look around and find woman after woman who seem to have more than we have, more than we could EVER have ..at least in our own estimation. What we need to remember though, is something that God has told us over and over again...
{"But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it ...it is He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists and some to be pastors and teachers to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.." Ephesians 4:7 and 11}
And, He reminds us that ..
{"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you so that in all in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." 2 Cor 9:8}
These girls have all that they need because of the grace given them for the benefit of the work that God has called them to, just as He has you sweet sister.
When we look at ourselves in comparison to those sisters in Christ, it may seem that we fall short. But it is not that we fall short, it is that our good work is not theirs. Their good work is not ours. Grace has them where they are, has provided all they need to accomplish the abundance of tasks they have been called to.
He has provided them with "everything [they] need" (2 Peter 1:3), but it is specific to what they need for the work God has called them.
The same promise is yours, and God is faithful.
May your heart be directed toward YOUR good work today, so that you will know to seek out the grace that He will give you to accomplish those tasks. Look not to what he has given others, but to the blessings of abundance He has promised you this day.
Blessed to be linked to
Living Well Wednesday!
