Called To Be You

We keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.

Surveying the screen, my heart sank as I read through the list of potential topics for an article I’d been asked to write: camping activities for kids, baking with toddlers, tagging games.

On one hand, I love checking items off a summer bucket list with my kids, playing board games with them, and spending as much time together as possible. And if you look at my social media profile, it’s easy to see that those are things I highlight. The fun things.

But when somebody tells me that I seem like “a fun mom,” I have to laugh a little. I’m not a big camper, baking with kids can be a challenge, and I wouldn’t say I like playing tag. Based on that list, maybe I’m not a fun mom at all?

Thankfully, God doesn’t expect me to be someone I’m not. God gave me my children, knowing my personality. He knew that the adventures we placed on our summer bucket list would sometimes be out of my comfort zone. He knew I’d rather read quietly or play board games with my kids than hike or go fishing. And that’s okay.

The same is true for you. You are called to be you—no one else. And when you and I see people who seem like they’ve mastered some aspect of their lives—their career, parenting, or friendships—the truth is that we probably caught them on their best day. We don’t see how they struggle with anxiety, the hours of work that went into winning the award they’re proudly holding, or the way their kids hollered at each other moments after the picture-perfect photo was taken.

God gave you the gifts and talents you were meant to have. He endowed you with your sense of optimism or good humor, your love of nature, or your ability to observe others or listen well. Instead of trying to measure up to others, let’s live a life worthy of his call. His grace is sufficient for us, no matter what. Let’s celebrate who we are, take a deep breath, and move forward in love.

Kristin

Today’s Act of Gratitude

List five things you like about yourself, thanking God for them.