She reminds me to be content no matter what the circumstances. I want so badly to do things "right" that I end up doing them "wrong" because I could never compare.
I read Tasha's blog (and more recently this article) and think about how I don't do things remotely like she does. I don't cut coupons. I rarely cloth diaper my baby (though, surprisingly, I do when I'm home alone with her). I certainly don't have 5 kids. Sure, I work outside the home. Sure, I make my own baby food. Sure, I have a huge extended family that I value and attempt to see on a regular basis. But I still can't compare. I rarely feel "ahead of the game" or caught up or bored. :) I am constantly scrambling to figure out what supper will be and more often than I'd like to admit, my husband comes home from working all day and cooks supper for us. Sometimes I don't get a shower until 3 in the afternoon...if at all!!
The fact is, nobody's perfect. Tasha doesn't pretend to be. She's incredibly honest on her blog. Here was a follow-up to her original post. See what I mean by honest?
Another blogger I follow posted this last year. How incredibly honest she is - and I could almost see myself in EVERY embarrassing thing she mentioned!
Here's another article I read recently about the comparison game, especially as it relates to social media. I stopped posting status updates on facebook a few months ago because I realized I was only sharing the things that made me look good or made me feel good about myself.
“Comparison is the thief of joy.” – Theodore Roosevelt
So, I will do my best to be more honest and open about the good and the bad in my life, whether it's in person or on this blog. And I refuse to have my joy stolen because I compare myself to everyone else. I hope by sharing the "real things in life" that someone will gain some perspective and be encouraged. Romans 12 rings true in my heart tonight. I'll leave you with that.
Romans 12
Today's New International Version (TNIV)
12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is true worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not think you are superior.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
No comments:
Post a Comment