I had the privilege of serving an amazing group of people earlier this week. I also had the privilege of listening in on a few of the devotions that were given to this group. A pastor I admire and respect talked for about 5 minutes on the subject of comparison and I've been thinking about it ever since! Good devotion huh?
He talked about comparison being a cancer. It can destroy a lot of things in your life, relationships, self-esteem, dreams, plans, etc. He applied it to life working in a church, but I couldn't help but think about it on the "mom level." I've been talking to Ian a lot lately about my direction in life, what I do each and every day and how that plays into the long term view of our lives- specifically with our girls.
I read magazines and blogs and see all of these things other moms do to pour into their kids, to raise them, to encourage them, etc. And I wonder if what I'm doing is enough? So I think that's why these words about comparison were so striking to me.
And of course a great speaker doesn't just leave you at "comparison is a cancer." He encouraged us to only measure ourselves against ourselves. How am I doing compared to last month/year? And it doesn't have to be better, maybe the being the same is OK. But I must be my own yard-stick.
God didn't make anyone else like me and my family is unique. So naturally serving my family and loving them isn't going to look the same as anyone else. I find freedom in this and I hope you do to.
3 comments:
Sounds like that was an interesting devotion, Erin. I think we're always our worst critic when it comes to comparing ourselves to someone else. He used an interesting analogy...
so true, so true. thanks for your words of wisdom.
(just one question... i read all those blogs too, by all those amazing moms that do all those incredibly creative things with their kids and then make them all these amazing meals (in their spotless kitchens) that they photograph with their amazing photography skills... and i can't help but wonder, when do you have the time for this!!! because seriously, somethings gotta give. and you aren't doing anyone any favors making it look like all that is actually possible in a day)
(just sayin')
AMEN AND AMEN!!!! thanks for sharing!!!
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