Inspirational Findings

This is just a random post to write down some of the things I've been reading in recent days. Things that other moms have written that I have found so inspiring. I want to be able to look back and see some of them in one place when days are "hard" and I need inspiration.

"Excuses or change: Which are you going to make today?" List all of your excuses of why you can't do something or the things that are holding you back. (The author wrote out her own personal list or things she had heard others say, ending in I can't). "It's time to stop with the self-limiting profiling. Mother Teresa. Hellen Keller. Corrie Ten Boom. Elizabeth Eliot. They had great excuses. AND THEY NEVER USED THEM. We can make excuses or we can make change. {Tracye Goad} which are you working on?

"God created the days, minutes, hours and thus gave us work to do in that time. SO if this is true then He has given us enough hours in the day to accomplish what He wants us to do. It's when we try to do what all WE want or what others want us to do that we get stressed out." Hello, Tracye....did you hear that? What things do I need to let go that are NOT God-led...that are led by my own desires or because I couldn't say no to someone? Hmmmm.......

"Homeschooling: Mission Impossible? Have you been DOUBTING your qualifications as a teacher as the new year of school approaches? Feeling OVERWHELMED with the thought of picking curriculum, organizing multi-level teaching, planning schedules, all while caring for your (preschooler)? DON'T carry the burden alone, GOD WILL HELP you if you simply pray for and ask for his leading. He'll show you where to get the ideas, resources and supplies you need to complete the task HE has called you to." "God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work." 2 Cor 9:8

Perhaps the best one I read yesterday was the one that described the difference between a perfect mom and a balanced mom.

• The world calls us to perfect mothers, but I believe God calls us to be balanced mothers.
• A "perfect" mother puts appearance before relationship. A "balanced" mother sacrifices appearance for relationship.
• A "perfect" mother seeks approval from others. A "balanced" mother seeks approval from God.
• A "perfect" mother find reward in perceived success. A "balanced" mother's reward is a peaceful heart, family, and home.
• A "perfect" mother perpetuates the lies and spreads the disillusionment. A "balanced" mother breaks the lie and spreads hope, truth, and inspiration.

The challenge for us today is to focus on being balanced rather than perfect. That every moment that we'd love our children more than our clean house or the approving look of a stranger. That our confidence, strength, hope, and identity would be found in God and the trust He's put in us by giving us His perfect little gifts that look to us and call us "Mommy".

Here's the problem. I can't be a balanced mom. Neither can you. We can't do it alone. As humans we crave the approval of others. Until we migrate our identity from this world to the arms of God, we will strive to be perfect mothers. That's why I'm so passionate about spending time praying and reading the Bible every morning. Before the voices of others crowd out His, we need to hear from Him that He has given us everything we need to love well. We need to be reminded that we are precious, beautiful, powerful and worthy of the love of the Almighty, Everlasting God. Because once we hear that...who cares what anyone else thinks.

And the overwhelming theme of EVERYTHING I have read is that, NO TRACYE you can NOT do everything BUT God can. I am limited in power, but HE IS NOT. I am selfish and demanding, but HE is perfectly patient and His timing is perfect. I can not cover EVERY base, but He WILL fill in the gaps if I ask Him to. HE is the greatest source of power to change EACH and every aspect of life that is lacking. I can't physically see how to provide all of my families needs of every kind and at EVERY level....but HE already knows how and when it's going to happen. I don't know how to make it "all" work, but He can lead me down the path that brings it all together. I don't know how to be all things to all people, but there is freedom in knowing that HE IS NOT asking me to be! Focus on what matters and He will take care of the rest. Pray for guidance and He will show us the direction. Pray for wisdom and He will show me where my focus should be and how to make things happen. The OVERWHELMING theme is that God is in control and NOT me, but if I come to Him he can direct me exactly where I should go. Keep your eyes focused on Him and LISTEN to what he says and the "outside" world will no longer matter.