Again ...... and again

Isn't if frustrating to have to repeat yourself to your children?  How many times do I have remind Maggie to say "please" instead of just ordering us around?  How many times do we have to tell Jared to make sure his hands are REALLY dry after washing them so they aren't so chapped?  Aren't they tired of us saying the same things to them again and again?

Last night in my class, I was to read a passage out of Galatians and happened to see a portion of Galatians underlined in my Bible.  I am blessed to have several Bibles.  One  of my favorites is the Message Bible.  For this pastor's daughter who sometimes feels like I have heard every verse a bazillion times, the Message Bible is great as it puts the Bible in todays terms and sheds new light on it.  I still recognize the verse from the NIV and/or KJV.

Back to the passage in Galatians:  chapter 5:25-26  "Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original. "


That last couple of sentences hit me over the head (again).  "We will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse."

I think that us women are really "good" at comparing ourselves to each other.  "Her home is so much nicer than mine"  I've been guilty of that a lot lately.  "She always looks so put together."  "Her kids are never running around like little maniacs like mine do."  "She is always doing some cute little craft with her kids."  And on and on.

I am notorious for analyzing EVERYTHING.  Drives Rod nuts.  But I analyze myself the most.  I will never measure up to the best of each woman out there.  If I take the best of each woman I see (and lets face it most people only present their best), I will never be as good.  That is because I am gifted with different talents than most of those women.

And that is OK.

God gave me these talents/gifts and has asked me to put them to good work.  He knows my weaknesses - and He likes to use them b/c that is when He is most evident.  I am far from perfect, my journey has not ended.  But it is a good reminder that He wants me just as I am - flaws and all and not to compare myself to others.  It is only thru His Grace that I am who I am.  Even if I fail - He does not!

So, again and again and again it seems that God needs need to tell me the same things.  I'll get it ....sooner or later.  Thank you Jesus for even wanting to use me, for breaking and molding me - a little closer to the woman you have envisioned me to be.

Linking to Women living Well