I keep thinking I’ll get myself together any day now, but I can’t seem to get around to it. I’m the mom who lets us run out of toothpaste and toilet paper, the pastor’s wife who can be a real grouch, and the woman who’s been on a low-carb diet for four months, only to lose a whopping 2.37 pounds due to constant cheating and binging on nuts. I’m that lady you’ve met four times, and I really did like you, but I’m so sorry I still can’t remember your name due to my attention deficit.
Seriously, I might have real problems if I were trying to derive a positive self-worth from having it all together. I know God made me fearfully and wonderfully, but I don’t feel so amazing when I pare down my to-do list to three items a week, for the sake of productivity, and on Friday I sneak a look at the list, only to realize I haven’t done one of those things. Not a one.
Some days I rock. Other days, not so much.
Some days I feel like the best mom in the world. Other days, I blow up at my daughter or forget to return my son’s phone call.
Sometimes I’m a great wife. Other times, I practically ignore my dear husband when he comes through the door.
Despite my desire to live out my faith, my best efforts fall short. On any given day, my mood morphs from joyful to cranky. I swing back and forth between servant and drill sergeant. My faith falters in the face of challenge. My mood, behavior, and outlook change constantly!
Only one thing about me never changes: I have Christ in me.
I may not have it all together, but I do have Jesus. He’s the truest, best hope of glory I have.
If you’ve put your faith in Him, you have Jesus in you too. Let’s step off the treadmill of looking to ourselves and look to Christ instead. We can wallow in our weaknesses or we can welcome Christ into our thoughts.
I’m choosing to stand on 4 truths today.
1. I’m forgiven.
Even when I fail, in Christ I’m forgiven. When God looks at me, He sees the blood shed for my sin and the righteousness of His Son.
2. I’m never alone.
No matter how much I mess up, Jesus isn’t going anywhere. He’ll never leave me.
3. I’m growing.
I’m not yet the person I want to be, but He’s changing me. I have the hope that Christ will complete the good work He began in me.
4. I can do all things through Him.
On hard days, it helps to remember Christ’s power inside me. I may not feel it, but His strength rests on my weakness. With the same power that raised Jesus from the dead living in me, I can make it through today.
Even on days when I can’t seem to get myself together, I’ve still got one powerful thing going for me: Christ lives in me. I’m depending on Him, not on myself.
Will you join me? Let’s proclaim Him, not ourselves.
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I’m linking today with Suzie Eller’s “Summer of Permission” series. This is about permission to be myself.
Also linking up with Kelly Balarie’s #RaRaLinkup, Jennifer Dukes Lee’s #TellHisStory, Holley Gerth’s Coffee for your Heart, Crystal Storms’ #HeartEncouragement, Salt and Light with Alisa Nicaud, and Arabah Joy’s Grace and Truth. Check out these communities for more encouragement.
Amen! This really makes me smile, Betsy, because the other week I felt this same way on my way to church. I was running late and I was to open the service and lead worship. Not a good time to be running late. Then the thoughts of how I hadn’t measured up threatened to surface. I started to sink into the thoughts of “I can’t get it all together.” Then God reminded me I can’t get it together on my own—I need Jesus. He reminded me of some of the same truths you brought out today. I decided that this would make a great story to open the service with. 🙂 Even if it didn’t help anyone else that day, it is bookmarked in my memory just in case.
Oh yes, that scenario you describe has played out in my life more than once! I think the enemy works overtime to attack us on Sunday morning on our way to church! 🙂
Hi Betsy, this is an encouraging post for me today. I’m facing some big deadlines and feeling kind of blah, definitely not holding it all together too well. Your honesty plus your Bible-based advice encourages me! Sharing this on FB and Twitter.
Oh Sarah, thanks. I’m praying for your deadline right now, and that JESUS will hold you together. 😉
This is the truth we cling to when we’re feeling “less than.” Thanks, Betsy — it’s good to know that there are others out there who are trying, falling short, and clinging to truth about grace.
Yes, let’s all cling to His grace. Blessings to you, friend.
Amen and amen! I laughed out loud because I could relate to every sentence in this post. Thank you for your honesty and authenticity. And for the truths that set us free.
Glad if this made you laugh. Glad I’m not alone! 🙂
Betsy,
I’m SO thankful I have Christ in me and I don’t have to do it all on my own. As I’ve gotten older (and hopefully wiser), my declaration of dependence on Him has grown stronger and stronger. Joining with you as fully forgiven works in progress. Thankful for new mercies every morning.
Blessings,
Bev xx
You’ve said it so much better than I ever could. declaration of dependence. 🙂
I eould love to receive your insightful and encouraging scriptures. God has blessed you with this amazing gift.
Thanks and God bless!
All you have to do is add your email to the “subscribe” button on the right sidebar. Blessings to you too!
This is a great reminder that everything doesn’t depend on us holding it all together but to depend on God’s strength, Christ in us. It’s so reassuring that he doesn’t leave us and that he can still use us despite our imperfections.
Yes, Lesley. I’m reassured each day by the knowledge He’ll never leave me.
Yes, amen! (I can especially relate to the grouchy part.) So thankful today God does not determine our worth based on our strengths/weaknesses. He is all I need today. Blessings, Betsy!
Hah! Glad I’m not the only grouch, Kristine! (I bet you’re a nicer grouch than I am, friend.) Praying for you and your family this week.
Dear Betsy, what an affirmation! Sometimes I wonder if the Lord let’s us fall apart to remind us that we need a Savior in order to get it all together. Your transparency is inspiring. Blessings and hugs!
Thanks, Alice. He holds us together, doesn’t He?
That truly is the best news-I have Jesus in me. I don’t have to have it all together! *sigh of relief*
Amen, Sarah. I’m breathing a sigh of relief myself while He picks up all my pieces.
I love this! Thank you for sharing. I often feel this way and I love the reminders you wrote about. Visiting from #livefreethursdays (so funny – i was right behind you on Tuesday at the #raralinkup too. I tried to comment and it wouldn’t post for some reason so I hope this one works.) 🙂
Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Adrienne. Blessings on your day! I love the #livefree community. 🙂
Now Betsy, that’s me most days too. Yet, I thank the Lord that I can stand on the Solid Rock with these amazing truths every single day
.
Your neighbor from #Salt and Light
Blessings,
Diana
Amen to standing on the Solid Rock, sister! <3
Oh our mama ears need to hear this, Betsy. Thank you!
Blessings to you, Meghan!
This is great, Betsy. I feel the same way so often. Not that we can use it as an excuse for bad-behavior, but I think our “time of life” makes us prone to this “un-together-ness.” I’m Type-A. So when I’m not acting like it, I beat myself up pretty well. In fact, I think God uses this “shift” to refine my Type-A rough edges! Oh, but there’s so much grace. Thanks for pointing us to Christ!
Hah! I didn’t think about the “time of life,” but it could be true. (I kind of think I was this way before too, but I am growing. 😉 ) I’m pretty Type-A myself, so I kno what you mean about beating yourself up pretty well. You’re making me smile here. 😉 I appreciate you.
Oh Betsy, thank you so much for this. I’ve had a week where I felt like I fell short. I love how you said when i feel like I can’t get it together I remember to depend on God and Christ who lives in me, not myself.
Hope you’ll have a restful weekend, Valerie. Resting in Him. 🙂
I absolutely love this, Betsy! I kept smiling and thinking – that is so me. Where would I be without Jesus? I’m so thankful for Him. Thanks for sharing this truly encouraging post.
Thanks for reading, Carlie. Blessings to you!
Great truths! I, too, struggle to get it all together (pretty much every day). I love this reminder! I also like to remind myself that I don’t have to worry about what others think of me…I only need to be concerned with what God thinks. This takes a little pressure off!
Yes, Shannon, so often we heap burdens on ourselves by keeping our focus on everyone else and what they’re thinking.