By: Lyndsay Crews
I’m not sure why I do this, but I’ve always had a problem with comparing myself to other women. I was catching up with a friend who was conquering the world and motherhood at the same time. She’s what people call ‘a mover and a shaker’. After we parted ways, I took an assessment of my daily accomplishments which included an assortment of dirty diaper changes and getting one of my kids to try a carrot….Just EAT the carrot already! At that moment, the familiar feeling of inadequacy took over me and unhealthy thoughts flooded my mind. “She’s killing it at this motherhood thing. Should I be doing more?” “I think I can take on more things, right?” “I could never do that.” Comparing myself to other mommas should inspire and encourage me, but instead I feel less than them.
Man-made standards keep us busy, overwhelmed, and distracted from being the mommas that God uniquely created us to be. God created my ‘mover and shaker’ friend differently than me. And that’s ok. Instead of saying “I need to be doing more things like her.”, I should say “Lord, show me how to serve you best with the gifts you’ve given me.” It’s subtle, but we go from ‘us centered’ and move more towards ‘God centered’.
“There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.” – 1 Corinthians 12:5-6
I have to remind myself that my journey won’t look like someone else’s journey. And to be honest, sometimes, I lose the mental battle. Pray with me that God would use us and our unique gifts to first glorify Him and serve Him only…no matter what that looks like.