I get into trouble when I try to be everything.
The constant pressure of my “you-should” ideals squeeze every ounce of joy out of my moments. The toxic “not-enough” thoughts leave me emotionally unstable. The oppressive “ought-to” expectations of others paralyze my decision-making ability. The ability to recognize these threats have come the hard way and falling into each of these pitfalls brings a humility and a clarity — a vision of living my moments in freedom from the should’s, the not-enough’s, and the ought-to’s.
“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10 ESV)
I am promised abundant living, in Christ. Not paralyzed living. Not terrified living. Not guilt-ridden living. Abundant living. If you are in Christ, you are promised this life too.
Everyday Christian living isn’t meant to be confusing and crippling, but you and I make it such when we set our sights on being Ms./Mrs. Everything. Instead of attempting to reach the illusive Superwoman-status, we must direct our efforts toward Spirit-led obedience in our simple everyday moments: working and watching, cooking and cleaning, teaching and training, sleeping and stirring. Because the promised abundant life is cultivated best when we are living out the everyday life God has planned specifically for each of us to live.
The Everyday Woman Series
In the weeks to come, I’d like to process the areas of everyday life together. Some of these areas you may feel successful in, whereas in others you may feel like a flailing fish out of water. I have my own areas of everyday life in which I thrive, while others leave me in tears of frustration.
Whether you’re a mom, a single woman, an empty nester, or a newlywed, you are an everyday woman made in the image of God. You are an extraordinary masterpiece with layers of beauty and strength. A necessary piece of a God-sized puzzle, and our unique everyday pieces fit together to create a display the image of Christ to the world around us.
I hope you’ll join me on this journey as the everyday woman you already are. I invite you to come and share your thoughts and ideas, your successes and failures.
What areas of life do you have a good handle on? What do you need help in most?
The area I feel I have a handle on is my marriage. My husband and I are committed to our marriage and we spend time together praying and seeking guidance about our lives.
The area I need the most in is parenting my two and a half year old foster son. He has suffered emotional and physical trauma and various forms of neglect. We are working with him to understand that he is in a safe place and that we will not harm him, but he doesn’t understand and lashes out in fear and and anger. We pray for peace and comfort in his mind and understanding that we love him very much.
Thanks for sharing, Sara!
Parenting is SO HARD, but I’m sure it is compounded with all the past trauma. God has called you to this job as momma, and He will provide all that you need, including His strength where you are weak.