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If you're here just for the penny pinched posts I completely understand ~ scoot right on past this one.
As someone who blogs for a living, I remind myself frequently to write for my reader, not for myself.
So I share deals and recipes and tips and ideas that hopefully help you out.
and I love that.
But today I'm writing for me, not for you.
Okay?
Here goes.
Every so often, God hands me a picture of Him that I can't even stand not to share, so today you're in for it. 🙂 Not even sure I can express what's inside my head, but maybe you'll catch the gist of it.
This Sunday in church this song was played (go listen to it HERE.) I believe it was written by local folks in our church, and goodness, every time I hear it I'm brought to one mess of a mascara-laden momma.
(I don't cry easily, so that's saying something.) 🙂
If you listen long enough (be patient through 8:18), you'll hear the promise “well done my child, find rest today.”
And most of the time as I hear those words, I imagine a precious God-fearing-loved one who's struggled physically for quite some time walking through heaven's gates as Christ welcomes them in.
Or I envision someone who volunteers 82 hours a week, who takes meals to the homeless, who serves with an abundant heart and has it all together all the time.
And of course, He welcomes them in too.
But for whatever reason, this Sunday my picture changed.
What if it wasn't that person who lives a pillar example of a Christ-led life walking through those gates?
What if it was someone a little more ordinary?
Someone a tiny bit more flawed?
Someone who even though a believer doesn't quite exemplify that perfect Christian life that I tend to think Christ would welcome in so graciously?
In my mind's eye, I watch a woman burdened, hardened by way too many difficulties in life who from the outside may not look like a replica of His heart.
But as she walks in, I don't see Him waving her off.
I don't see Him turning her away.
Instead, I know He welcomes her too.
My thoughts grew broader.
What if that one is me?
The me who focuses on myself way too much.
The one who worries over my clothes and my house and my husband and my kids and all the petty things every day that have absolutely no eternal value?
What if it's just plain me, walking through heavens gates just the hot mess of a momma that I am?
What if it's me . . . burdened, tired, discouraged, envious, imperfect, slightly chubby, and not a single ounce put together?
But then it occurred to me (like a two-by-four probably more strongly than ever . . .)
that it's not about me.
I can't be good enough.
I can't be cute enough.
I can't be skinny enough, pulled together enough, or even nice enough.
It's about Him.
It's Him who makes me enough. Who fills in the gap. Who covers up my mess.
So as long as I go in humbly ~
as long as we go in humbly,
seeking, trusting, and believing
His promise holds true.
And He will give us rest.
If you've struggled finding rest,
if you today feel burdened, lost, hopeless, or just not enough.
You are not alone.
But His arms hold open wide for the both of us, don't they?
So my hope for you today is that you find rest. And peace. And that you will know the truth that you are enough today.
“I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 4:20-21
Amazing, and more how I picture God. I think he loves the flawed and trying as much as the perfect examples!
Yes Cheryl – what a lovely way to see Him today! Hugs!
Just what I needed today Laurie. Its not about trying to be or trying to do so I’m good enough for myself or anyone. Its letting go and letting God do it all in me! Its learning to take my hands off the wheel every day, and I’m old enough I should get it by now! I am almost 20 years older than you and you more often than not say what I bet a good number of us are thinking or need to hear, so keep it up!!!!
Thank you so much for your sweet words and encouragement today Linda – hugs!
Wow Laurie, what a beautiful and inspiring post! You hit the nail right on the head! HIS mercy makes us good enough. Thanks for the reminder!
Hugs Kathy – and thank you for your kind words of encouragement today!
Laurie
I loved this post!
Although I’m in a different season of life, (My elderly Mother lives with us and as I’m unable to work) I try to apply some of the saving ideas.
I’m so happy I found your blog. Your joy and energy is so inspiring! Your faith though; is so wonderful to see in this challenging world we live in! I pray the Lord continues to bless all of you gals and all the hard work you do each day!
Thank you,
Mary
Thank you so much for your kind words Mary – that means so much to me! Hugs!
Excellent word. Thank you for sharing.
As someone who struggles with needing to “do” and “be” in order to feel valuable/enough/worthy but simultaneously realizing I can’t ever do/be enough to be worthy, this was such a good reminder. I am nothing, but He is everything. And because of that, I am enough.
That was so thought provoking! It is wonderful that God sent his son so that we imperfect ones can some day rest in his presence!
You have a beautiful family!
You are blessed.
Thank you for all you do.
I love your bravery for placing your heart and faith out here for the world to see. So refreshing to see. Thank you, it warms my heart to see such courage in a fellow Christian.
Laurie, I love this!!! Thank you so much for all y’all do!!! I know you know I watch you everytime you’re on!! I love all of your posts and videos!! Thanks again for the cooking, tips and bible verses!!
Thanks, I needed that.
Thank you for writing this post. I need to read this everyday!! I feel super overwhelmed with back to school, sports, work, that just to name a few. Thankfully there is loving Lord to fill my gaps as a mom, wife, employee etc. I just love your posts… I look for your facebook posts every day! They just brighten my day no matter what it is- I love your saying – “well, it just makes me happy”! (like the diet coke- that makes me laugh! I use to be a big diet coke drinker 🙂 Anyways, thank you again and could go on and on about how much I just love this post and the smiling face on facebook!! 😉
Thank you so much for your kind words Shannon -they mean so much to me! 🙂 So so glad you enjoy the (slightly goofy!) FB posts and that you take time to read this stuff in the midst of your way too busy days. 🙂 Blessings to you!
Beautifully said. I’m so glad you shared. Please find a way to share from your heart (and God’s) more!
Thank you so much for your kind words Susan – I need to work more at finding a place to share this end of things too (it’s such a struggle to find balance!) Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. 🙂
Thank you for sharing, I really needed this today. I look forward to you sharing again. So good to hear from a fellow believer.
Thank you so much for sharing Lisa – that means so much to me!
I love this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and WOW the song is beautiful. I actually enjoy posts like this 🙂
Thank you so much Karen – isn’t that song just incredible? Such a beautiful reminder of what we’re made for. Thank you for commenting Karen!