Over the next few months I'll be adding some of my previous guest blog posts (www.jaymeleehull.com) to my blog. Please check out Jayme's website- it's is beautiful and the blog posts are uplifting and encouraging. Here is one of my posts from June...
As much as I would love a cape and the super human capabilities of super woman, I realize fast that in my own strength I can only handle but so much before I start to feel overwhelmed. Im married and in the season of rearing small, non self-reliant children and sometimes I think my head is going to explode if I hear one more request for snacks or milk. I recently heard a story of a mom who had nine children, all girls except one!! On top of that she raised fourteen kids total. They were poor with an unstable living situation but all of the kids felt loved and cared for. As adults, they all mentioned that they never heard their mom complain not once! Personally, I know I've complained at least twice today alone and I only have two kids to chase after. I hear many amazing stories about women who persevered during extreme struggles and still managed to be amazing women and mothers. I wonder how women during the Great Depression handled their responsibilities? What about women in third world countries with none of the simplicities of life, like a washing machine and stove? How do they manage to take care of their families when it takes many more hours to obtain basic necessities like water and food. How much more busy are their lives than mine? When I think of this it sort of makes me embarrassed to complain or feel overwhelmed. I try my best but some days when it's all said and done I feel depleted. Some days I feel like I didn't accomplish a thing yet I'm tired and other days I've accomplished a ton and I'm still tired. There are some women who seem to be able to do it all. I believe that God gives me the strength to handle a lot, but sometimes I just don't want to be a super woman. I really would just love an uninterrupted nap instead. Society and social media often tells us women we can and should be all to everyone. Maybe just maybe we occasionally push those expectations on each other as well. I'm supposed to look good, grow in my walk with Christ, work out several times a week, raise a family, be an excellent wife, have a hot home cooked meal on the table each night, chauffeur my children to and from activities, keep the house spotless, have an active social life, get a decent nights rest, etc all while making it look easy and not to mention sexy! Not my life! You may be like me and often think there just isn't enough time in the day to accomplish it all. My car has toys and more kid snack droppings than I'd like to admit. I'm proud of myself when I get my 7-min workout completed. I sometimes eat my breakfast in the car on the way to dropping my daughter off to school. Anything comfortable that I can throw on quickly is my go to attire most days. Time for make up??? Nope not everyday. Sweep and vacuum the home daily like grandma used to do, with no dishes left in the sink overnight...I wish! Lately I've had to find out what's most important right now and let the rest go. I've had to create more balance in my life by turning down some requests, and taking some guilt free time for myself. I also try my best not to compare myself with other women who seem to have it all together nor criticize those who may be in a season of struggle. I'm not super woman! I get tired, stressed, and even complacent, however I'm glad I don't always have to rely on my own strength which as you can imagine is insufficient at times. I just try to keep in mind that when our strength feels depleted, God's strength is always in abundance! Thank God!! Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us- to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 HCSB He gives strength to the weary and strengthens the powerless Isaiah 40:29. HCSB I can do all things through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13. HCSB
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