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Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Letter to Myself

Dear Self,

I know you mean well, but the high expectations you constantly place on me unintentionally make life seem impossible. It's daunting enough just trying to stay on top of things, but why do you make me feel like I'm always supposed to be doing more?

More crafts. More exercise. More cleaning. More home-cooked meals. More one-on-one time with my children.  More Bible time. More organization. More. More. More.

And, it's never enough.

I'm not skinny enough. Healthy enough. I don't clean enough. I'm not creative enough. Pretty enough. Fashionable enough. Spiritual enough. Disciplined enough. Nice enough. Fun enough. Hospitable enough. Smart enough. Thankful enough.

So, I try so hard to be better.

Better at saving money. Better with my time. Better at slowing down. Better at speeding up. Better at being a wife. Being a better friend. Better at household management. Being a better parent.

And just when I think I'm doing better, someone else comes along who's doing more, and again, I'm back to feeling like I'm not enough.

Why can't I just ever be enough?


Sincerely Exhausted,

 
Me



Have you ever felt like you could have written the above letter? Maybe it's just me, but we all have times as women where we struggle with just feeling like we are simply enough. That we are loved and appreciated just as we are.

 There's a movie I saw years ago called, "Forces of Nature", with Ben Affleck and Sandra Bullock. In one scene, they are dancing, and Sandra starts giving Ben marriage advice, since he is headed to his wedding. One line has stuck with me after all of these years. She says to him, "No matter what annoying habits she has, just realize that she's dealing with a huge mountain of imperfections every day. So you might just want to let it go."

I loved that line! As women, we set such high expectations on ourselves and struggle with what to do when we can't live up to them.


News Flash: 
Your imperfections do not define who you are. 
They have made you who you are. 

You're enough because God made you and loves you just as you are.

You don't have to be better  or try harder for His love.

He loves you more than you ever thought possible.
                          

Enough actually is enough.


Trying to be better is fine, but do it in the understanding that you are already enough

You are worth way more than you give yourself credit for. 



You really are. 

Sincerely,


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33 comments:

  1. All I can say is :

    Enough- Chris Tomlin
    All of You is more than enough for all of me
    For every thirst and every need
    You satisfy me with Your love
    And all I have in You is more than enough

    You are my supply
    My breath of life
    And still more awesome than I know
    You are my reward
    worth living for
    And still more awesome than I know

    All of You is more than enough for all of me
    For every thirst and every need
    You satisfy me with Your love
    And all I have in You is more than enough

    Youre my sacrifice
    Of greatest price
    And still more awesome than I know
    Youre the coming King
    You are everything
    And still more awesome than I know

    More than all I want
    More than all I need
    You are more than enough for me
    More than all I know
    More than all I can say
    You are more than enough for me

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you!!! These are my feelings on almost a daily basis!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's crazy, isn't it? Why do we do it to ourselves? I think the internet has made it WORSE!!!

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  3. wow you just gave me chills, it is all so true, as a mom and wife you never feel like you have or done enough! I always have to sit down, pray and remind myself of just that! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are sooo welcome. I struggle daily with it. But, I am learning to let it go and be just who I am that God made me to be. So glad to know we are all in this together!!

      Delete
  4. Thank you so much for writing this. I especially feel like this when I get too caught up in the perfect blogger world. It is so easy to feel like your life does not reach the standard. But what a beautiful reminder that I am enough to God. Thank you Brianne this is lovely.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The perfect blogger world is a facade! Either people are neglecting their families, or they aren't telling the truth! I just try to be 'me'. That is all I can be. You are a fantastic Mom. That's the most important thing. Don' get caught up in all of that! Remember that if you are being the best for your family, that is ALL that matters! And who cares if my door's wreath is REALLY handmade or not? :)

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  5. Oh, this is spot on how I feel more often than I want to. This was a refreshing reminder of all that we already ARE in Christ. Thanks for the beautiful reminder, Brianne. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am trying so hard to daily remember that everyone is trying to just do their best. It's the moms who aren't trying so hard, that I admire the most. Sorry we didn't get a chance to talk today. I will call tomorrow when I have time on the drive to my aunt's!

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  6. You're awesome. I needed to hear this. Thank you!

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    Replies
    1. Girl, I am NOT awesome. I can assure you that!! God reminds me of this daily. I just need to share so I know I'm not alone! Love you lady!

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  7. Exactly what I needed to hear, Bri. Thanks for sharing this today. As a new Mom, I'm always struggling with so & so does it this way or so & so does it that way. Am I doing good enough for my son? I have to remember that I am meant to be Cash's mom & that's enough. I am his Mom! :) Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I remind myself of this daily, seriously!!! It's crazy how we women compare, huh? Thankful to have found you!

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  8. Such a good reminder. I love God's unending grace.

    ReplyDelete
  9. When you give it all up to God and enjoy who He is and who you are, life becomes sooooo good. So glad you are learning this young, as it took me too many years. --Mom

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  10. I think my constant failure reminder comes via Pinterest. I always pin these amazing things I am going to do with my kiddos in my "spare" time. Then when I go back and revisit those boards I am reminded that I FAILED yet again. Oh well, I never made fairies in a jar and I turned out halfway okay. God is good and failure is often self-imposed. Thanks for the reminder!

    Angie @ http://hayshousemisadventures.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love that! Failure is self-imposed. It is SO true! I have made up a name for a condition that has worsened with Mommies.... PIN-security!!! I struggle with it all of the time! I'm with you. We played in the stinkin' woods and my mom did occasional crafts once in a blue moon, but I have the fondest memories of just being a kid! Love your comments!

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  11. A great reminder that we are defined only by who we are IN Christ! Thanks so much for sharing. (I am a friend of Amanda's from SC:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kelli, I am SO glad you joined me! I appreciate the comment so much. Thanks for stopping by! It's a joy to meet others through blogging!

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  12. A great reminder that we are defined only by who we are IN Christ! Thanks so much for sharing. (I am a friend of Amanda's from SC:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Kelli! So glad you dropped by my little blog!

      Delete
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