Thankful
I love surfing around blogland and ooh-ing and aah-ing at all of the beautiful spaces and creative projects that incredibly talented bloggers come up with. There’s so much crazy gorgeousness floating around on the world wide web that you could spend weeks on end just marveling at it all. It truly is amazing.
But even though I enjoy basking in all the Pinterest-worthiness, I also must admit that I sometimes feel like I just don’t measure up, that I’ll never measure up to that person’s perfect house or the amazing activities that other blogger has planned for her children or another’s perfectly styled outfits and put-together hair and makeup (as I sit here writing this during my kids’ afternoon nap, still in my PJ’s with yesterday’s eyeliner smeared below my eyes…true story). I sometimes start to wonder if I’ll ever be “good enough.”
Woah, hold it right there. That’s when I know it’s time to shut the computer, step away from my iPhone, and take a couple minutes to put things back into perspective. The decor in my house, beautiful or not, doesn’t define who I am. My children don’t have to look and act like perfect angels for me to be “enough.” I don’t have to be wearing the latest trendy styles and look perfectly put-together to have worth. You see, my worth was defined the moment that Jesus Christ decided that I was reason enough for Him to take my sin upon Himself and die for me so that I wouldn’t have to spend eternity separated from God. Because of Him–and not because of anything I’ve done–I am enough.
You know what that means? God loves me whether my house was featured in Better Homes & Gardens or if I don’t have one single thing hanging on my walls. God doesn’t love me any less on the day that I let my kids watch TV all morning so I could finally get all of the laundry washed and folded than on the day I planned a fun playdate or took them to the zoo. God thinks I’m as beautiful when I’m wearing no makeup and look totally disheveled and when I get all dolled up to go out on a date with my hubby. How freeing is that?!
That’s not to say that God doesn’t care about beauty–He does! He created it. He defined it. He gave us the ability to recognize it and the talents to create it ourselves. But He also doesn’t determine our worth by what we look like on the outside, but by who we truly are–redeemed children saved by His grace.
So I’ve determined that any time I start to feel like I’m not “good enough” or if I feel that twinge of envy coming on, I’m going to adjust my thinking and instead be thankful. I truly have so much to be thankful for–thankful that I don’t have to constantly try to measure up because God has that all taken care of, thankful for my sweet little family and our parents and siblings and friends who love us, our home, our church, our good health, our safe and free country–I could go on and on.
My attitude of anxiousness about what I don’t have needs to become an attitude of thankfulness for what I do. Otherwise I will spend a lot of time being miserable because there will always be someone with a bigger, more beautifully decorated house than me. There will always be a mommy who does more creative activities for her kids than I do. There will always be that little fashionista whose outfit is more put together than mine (particularly with my recent track record of donning yoga pants and a t-shirt…). But that’s not what life is about. And for that, I am thankful.
And, speaking of being thankful, there is certainly a lot to be thankful for in our family this week! Earlier this week, my hubby celebrated the big 3-0! I cannot believe I’m married to a 30 year old! 😉 We started dating when I was 18 and he was 19, so I think in my mind we’ll always be those ages. Not only am I thankful that for the next 11 months, I can rub in the fact that I am in my 20s and he is in his 30s (haha), but I am also thankful that God put him on this earth to be (among other important and wonderful things) my partner in life and my best friend. I am truly blessed to have him.
And just when we finished one birthday celebration, we started gearing up for another– our darling “baby” Caleb turns two years old today. I think he will always be a baby to me because he’s the baby of our family and I’m in denial that he is growing up, but I guess I’m going to have to at least partially concede that he is now a toddler and is growing bigger, more beautiful handsome, and continuing to amaze me every single day. So, SO thankful for this sweet little man!
What are you thankful for today? (Hey, it’s like Thanksgiving in July! 😉 )
Oh man, can I relate! As much as I love pinterest and looking at blogs I often find myself feeling “less than.” Not creative enough, not talented enough… the list goes on and on. Then I come across a post like this and feel a little less alone in these insecurities so thank you for sharing!
Also, you and your hubby are adorable together! I hope you’re having a great weekend, and happy birthday to the big 2 year old! 🙂
Thank you, Emily! It always helps to know that there are others who feel the same way, that I’m not alone! I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend as well!
~Abby =)
This was beautiful! I don’t really struggle with feeling “less than”, but that’s the beauty of being a lazy underachiever 😉 I can always say, “I probably COULD do that too, but it looks like a lot of work. Instead I think I’ll eat some ice cream and waste a bunch of time on Facebook…” Pinterest does make me want to eat my computer, though!
I never get to pick on my hubby about age because he’s a year younger than me, so it’s usually the other way around 🙁 Although, when I turned 30 we joked a lot about me being a cougar 😉
Lol! Such a cougar! As a type “A” personality, I totally envy your attitude! I would so add “be more laid back” to my to-do list if I thought that would actually make me accomplish it. 😉 Thanks for stopping by, Jenn! You always make me smile!
~Abby =)
I’m so glad you have the ability to step back when you need to! It’s so important. I’ve been reflecting a lot on this lately, as we gear up to another 60 day TDY, preceded by two weeks of training, which really means about 2 1/2 months of single-parenting for me… focusing on thanks is one of the ways I try to keep putting one foot in front of the other. TDY’s are when “good enough” is what gets us through. Then the time flies by 🙂
Have a great birthday for Caleb! He’s got an awesome mom!
Thank you, Misti! You military mamas are my heroes! (and your hubbies, too, of course!) You are so strong to be able to do the single mom thing for extended periods of time like that! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
Dear Abby,
I can totally relate. Pinterest and blogs don’t help when I am feeling so low and ‘not-up-to-the-mark’! But I can totally see that God has a plan for me when He put me on earth. Praise the Lord!
I am so thankful for a happy and healthy family. That is the MOST important thing and all that matters in the end…
Thanks so much for this post. I wish more bloggers would come forth like this!
xo,
Anjana.
You are so right! There are so many more important things than having a Pinterest-worthy home!! Thank you so much for your sweet words, Anjana!!
~Abby =)
I am thankful to you for this wonderful post! I also get days like this when I feel like I am not good enough compared to others. I can do more, better, quicker… Your words have put things into perpective 😉
But I can’t pick on my husband re: the age thing… He’s a year younger than me!
Thank you, Miss Carole! My mom is older than my dad, too…he’s never let her live it down, lol! Hope you’re having a great week!
~Abby =)
Very well said, Abby! We all feel that way from time to time and you summed up perfectly how we should handle it! Happy Birthday to your dear hubby! If you think it’s weird being married to a 30 yr old, just wait til he turns 50!! LOL!! Very bizarre! And your first baby will always be your first baby….my little boy is 27 now, he still calls me “momma” and he’ll always be my baby! Have a blessed Sunday, sweet lady!!~~Ang
Thank you, Angela! Yes, I’ve forbidden both of my boys from ever growing up. They have to stay little forever. 😉 It all happens so fast! Crazy! Thank you for your always sweet comments! Have a great week!
~Abby =)
Beautifully said! Happy celebrations! You have a wonderful blog!!! xo
Thank you, Morgan! You are so sweet! I hope you’re having a great week!
~Abby =)
I totally agree!! I’m so thankful for my family!! Great encouraging post!!
Thank you, Crystal! Hope you’re having a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
Very will said. I am thankful that you shared it with us!
Thank you! I’m so glad you stopped by! Have a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
Abby , I feel humbled to be able to share such honest insights of one so lovely as you ! I also wonder if I will ever measure up . I am 56 years old and always working hard . Paddle padddle paddle seams like I go no whrear. My husband and I bought a rental property 3 years ago . AND guess what its still not rented !!!!! New this all new plumbing all new windows ! I ahd no idea what I had gotten us into ! So I then took a full time and a half job to try and help buffer the finances. Because you see it was not just one house , But a two flat unit 1100 sq feets each !!!! I was working 50 and 60 hrs a week . which left no time to work on said property ! I single handely tore out a complete wet plaster and tile bathroom ! Lower kitchen cabinets and flooring down to the floor joices …….. 8 layers of wll paper and paint from 2 rooms one 14 by 18 feets and the other on 14 by 16 feets , down to the bare wet plaster. Well ok I lied . I did have help with that I have a secret weapon. I have a couple of pretty wonderful sisters. Hubby did plumbing . We needless to say the job turned out to be a disaster ! Had to leave it because I got assulted by a guy who was a real piece of work. So I wonder where god is taking me on this journey because . I believed that this house was supposto be somebodys safe haven ! How could I have been so wrong ! So I am much older than you are and none the wiser ! Ipray every night for devine guidance. And also question will I ever be enough ! Thanks for listening . I feel better
Sarah, I am so so sorry you have had to go through so much with this rental property! It sounds like it has been a really difficult road. It’s so hard to know what God is doing sometimes when life gets tough, but He does promise to never leave us or forsake us! I’m praying for peace and wisdom for you and your husband in this situation. I hope it will all work out for the best! Hugs!!
~Abby =)
What a fantastic perspective….you have to know that almost everyone who reads blogs, browses through Pinterest, subscribes to magazines, etc. feels exactly the same way. While I get inspired from all of those activities, it can also have the opposite effect. I love the way you are choosing to realize that when you have that feeling of not being good enough, you know that you are. We all need to take note of that!
Thanks so much, Michelle! You are so right–it can definitely be overwhelming. Thank you for reading. Have a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
Love this, Abby! Such a great reminder for all of us! And I’m right there with you on never having a chance to change out of my PJs by naptime some days… 😉
I am so glad I am not the only one! Big C is starting preschool again in a month, so I guess I’ll have to whip myself into shape by then, lol! Thanks so much for reading, Samantha!
~Abby =)
Im going to bookmark this for when I get a little too obsessed with Pinterest!!in saying Like you I can get a little too wrapped up in it all and it makes me feel like im not worthy.
However, you are right, I have so much to be thankful for. I am very grateful to you for pointing it out.
I truly hope your little one enjoyed all his birthday celebrations (am I right in saying there was a small celebration this weekend?!)
Rhi x
Thanks so much for your sweet words, Rhi! We did have his little celebration last Sunday…I’ll be talking about it on the blog tomorrow! Hope you had a great weekend!
~Abby =)