Not enough and glad that He is
As I was weeding through old post drafts (fleeting ideas I came up with and never posted), I stumbled upon this post and the title immediately resonated with me, as it had back when I originally wrote it.
In response to a wonderfully honest post from Laura of Org Junkie back in December (When you're not enough), I had left this comment:
"Oh Laura, you are not alone at all! Despite my desire to be organized and have things simplified to be free to focus on what is most meaningful this Christmas, unexpected circumstances have come up leaving me with a long to-do list, unmet expectations, and a feeling that I just really don't have it all together. Even the things that would truly help us focus on Christ in this season have been a bit much for me to manage at times, and I have been dropping balls right, left and center.
And in a way, I am glad. Glad to realize once again that Christmas is not about me and my ability to achieve and pull it all off, or to perfect the ideal "simple" Christmas, or even to do all the right things to focus on Christ and on loving others. I can't do any of it on my own, and it's really not about me and what I can do anyways."
Reading both her post and my response again, over a month later, I feel like I'm still in that same boat. Yet again, I'm struggling to keep up, unable to do all that I want to or feel that I should be doing, a bit weary, and so aware of just how weak I am.
I realized that it really wasn't about Christmas at all, but just about the realities
of walking through life as a sinful human being, a frail and imperfect
person, a wife and mom and friend who will never have it all together,
no matter how hard I try. Then, and only then, does the full magnitude of this verse come alive with God's abounding grace:
But he said to me,
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9,10
Aren't you glad today that He is enough even when you aren't?
Amen sister! As a mom of 3 kids age 4 and under I am constantly aware of my sin and weakness. May we all cry out for grace today!
I share your feelings, and you expressed them so well. This was just what I needed as I start another busy day at home with 4 kids, 5 and under. Thanks!
wonderful post that I totally resonate with. I wrote a similar post right around Christmas time as I was feeling the pressures:
http://livinglearningandlovingsimply.blogspot.com/2008/12/advent.html
You know I just don’t think we can be reminded of this enough. Thank you for the scripture, I will reflect on those today.
Blessings my friend,
Laura
PS: That picture is so beautiful!
Thank you for posting this. I needed to hear this today. I have been struggling with my extreme perfectionism lately a lot. I have been finding it so frustrating to want to do so much and not be able to. Its humbling though. Thank you for being honest and open about this.
I’m glad to know I’m in such good company with you wonderful ladies. 🙂
Laura, thanks for first making yourself vulnerable and real with us. I appreciate you! (And don’t I wish I took that beautiful picture- I do love stock.xchng, don’t you?)
oh my. This is the second post I’ve read on the blogs with this similar focus. It’s something I’ve been struggling with recently. And perhaps, this is God giving me a nudge, reminding me I’m His. Reminding me, no matter how much I schedule or not, or what we get accomplished in a day or not. I still need to cast my cares on Him who is faithful.
I often get overwhelmed with the amount of noise the children produce. lol. That sounds horrible, but they talk louder and louder as they try to get their little voice heard. And I struggle with patience here. I just want everyone to talk in a normal voice! Let’s be civilized here! 😀 Notice how many “I” ‘s there were there. *sigh* A reminder for me — leave it at His feet. He’ll carry it. Not I.
Thank you
Amen! I cling to this verse! Admittedly, it’s kind of nice to hear you say it, though. I often think when I read your blog, “How does she get it all done!” It’s nice to know you’re human just like the rest of us!:) Thank you for showing us your weaknesses, too. I’ll be praying for you.
Hi, I’m Kelli and new to your blog (love it). This post is very powerful and I’m sure that it hits home for a lot of us. I need to write that verse down and post it…well everywhere! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for this post. I really needed to hear this message. Thank you!!!
Oh the words ring so true in my heart. Just this past Sunday, just getting the 3 kids on my own to service on time was full of anxiety and frustration. And all through worship and the sermon, my mind was way far from God. But when we sang the last song: “…and all that I am, I lay at the feet of the wonderful Saviour who loves me…..” I felt this huge burden of pent up angst lifted off my heart. Yes, praise God that He is enough when we are not. Thanks.
I am not sure how I came across your blog (maybe via moneysavingmom…?)The scripture you shared caught my eye because it is my scripture for this year. I am a homeschooling mom of kids ages 7,6,6,5,&5. So I am in need of the grace of God! But I am not always content in my weaknesses. I just don’t like to be weak, but it’s His kindness to show me my weakness so I can learn to depend on Him. And when I fail, I remember He has lived a perfect life for me! Thanks for the encouraging blog.