Have you ever felt like a wreck on wheels? I did last Wednesday. After a hectic morning juggling home school, writing, odd bits of housework, and scrounging up lunch for my husband and daughter, I dashed out to the store for groceries. My limited life skill savvy told me it would be tough to get back home in time for a 3:30 meeting in my living room, but there was NO food in my house.
After 45 minutes of speed walking the aisles at the grocery store and throwing stuff in my cart like a crazy woman, I loaded 20 bags of groceries into my car and headed home to make the meeting. I just had one problem. Traffic. My 10 minute drive turned into 30. When I walked in the door with my groceries, our guests had already arrived.
My generous friends acted like it was the most natural thing in the world for me to get there after they did with 20 bags of groceries, but I felt about two inches high on the Pinterest hospitality scale.
It was one more opportunity to come to grips with the fact that I’m less than perfect.
All of these describe me:
- The housewife who can’t keep toilet paper or toothpaste in the house
- The pastor’s wife who forgets it’s her turn to lead the church service
- The home schooling mom who loses her gradebook
- The writer who just spent an hour scrolling on Facebook rather than writing
Instead, I choose to remember the identity God has assigned to me:
Before the Israelites crossed the Jordan to take the Promised Land, God reminded them once more that He had chosen them as His treasure. He knew the challenges they faced might make them forget. He wanted them to remember that He’d set His affection on them, not because of anything they’d done, but simply to display His love and faithfulness.
We also encounter challenges that make us feel “less than,” but God wants to remind us of His love for us. As we face stress in our marriages, struggles with kids, and conflict at work, God wants us to remember we’re His special treasure. When weariness overwhelms, relationships hurt, and finances threaten to undo, we can take comfort in knowing we belong to Him.
What about you, friend? How are you doing today?
Maybe you need a moment to slow down, breathe deep and remember:
God treasures you.
You’re his unique, treasured possession. He has set you apart for Himself.
He sets His affection on you.
We’re the objects of affection. He loves us not because of anything we’ve done, but simply because He chooses to love. That’s who He is. God sent Jesus to die in our place, to cover our sin and shame. Not good enough is not a problem with Jesus. We’re free to receive God’s love.
He wants you for His own.
You may feel like a mess up, but He chooses you anyway. You belong to Him, and you’d better believe He’s on your side. No matter what you face, He goes ahead of you. He fights your battles. You have only to be still and trust.
When we fail, He loves. When we doubt, He loves. When we’re running on empty, He loves. Stop and breathe today, friend. Remember you’re His treasure. Rest in His love.
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Betsy we’ve all been there in different ways. Last week was tough for me at real school – high school – a class of 36 students who were disrespectful and rude. I never in my 3 years subbed a class like that one. I had to call admin to send a man up to help. I know better than to let those days define me, but oh how I needed that quote this morning, “My mess ups may describe me on a given day, but I can’t let them define me”. Tweeting that.
I do a good job keeping toilet paper, toothpaste, and paper towels – I keep a stash upstairs so we don’t run out. LOL!
Love you lady.
Oh Debbie! That sounds TOUGH. May He give you His grace on those substitute teacher days, friend. The hardest job of all, I think.
Amen! God is patient with us always, loves us the way we are and takes us back when we stray. He is a good, good Father. Your words remind me of all the times I have let busyness and all my messiness define me rather than God who created me to be like Him. Love reading your words!
Thank you, Mary! Your comment is reminding me all over again!
OH! The slowed down breathing and the reassurance that comes with knowing that my holiness is completely linked to my “belonging” and to my position as God’s special treasure.
And thanks for reminding me that I need to get more toothpaste.
Amen. Holiness linked to belonging. Love that.
So encouraging, Betsy. If my worth depended on my achievements and on getting it right, I’d be in big trouble. But God loves me and I belong to Him. Thanks for these words today.
Yes, Jeannie. I just had another momfail today! I was so grateful my daughter was gracious.
Thanks for these comforting reminders, Betsy. Today I’m drawing strength from the fact that God feels this way about me, and also about my loved ones. (Your statement about where you rank on the Pinterest hospitality scale made me smile too.) 🙂
Thanks, Lois. Grace is what we need, isn’t it?
Your words made me laugh. “Pinterest hospitality scale”…..lol. Betsy, we’re all in your shoes. Thank goodness for Jesus! Lovely post, my friend. Lovely post.
Oh yes. Thank GOD for JESUS! 🙂
i see what you meant Betsy. we were definitely thinking along similar lines today weren’t we? wonderful that GOD reminds us of HIs incredible care for us, isn’t it? 🙂
Yes, He cares. He treasures.
Oh, you make me laugh. Yup – fair to say there isn’t a single one of us who hasn’t been a wreck on wheels. Moving too fast, doing too much, and forgetting ourselves. I love your reminder that the bad days don’t define us and that who we are in Christ isn’t at all diminished by our failures. So glad He calls me His. Love you, friend.
Moving too fast and doing too much. Yes! That’s us, isn’t it? Amen, I’m glad to be His too.
“Maybe you need a moment to slow down, breathe deep and remember:
God treasures you.” Wisdom we all need on any given day, Betsy! Thank you so much and I’m right there with you-chiding myself while running late today! We all need to rest in the knowledge of His love.
Are you running late today too, Jill? Ha! Grace to you, friend.
Oh Betsy! I get it. I’m with you. And I needed this today! Thanks, sweet friend for the encouragement!
Oh Micah. May the Lord pour His encouragement over you. And over me. 🙂
Oh, Betsy, days like that finish me off. That you not only survived, but ministered to others and lived to tell the story is a testimony of His startling grace.
Thanks for some very needed reminders today, friend …
Yes, Linda, His grace startles us. Thank you for that, friend.
The picture of you with 20 bags of groceries and walking into a house full of guests just makes me smile. I completley understand. I don’t have a Pinterest-worthy life, either. Thank you for the reminders that God doesn’t measure us by social media.
I’ll bet you do understand! Thank you. 🙂
Betsy,
Thank you for this timely reminder that even thought I may not feel like a treasure to the world, I am God’s treasure of great worth (mess-ups, screw-ups, and all). He is mindful of my frame – He knows I am but dust yet He loves me anyway. I don’t think we can ever be reminded of this too many times!!
Blessings and thanks,
Bev
Blessings to you too, Bev. What you are doing is important. Praying for your ministry and work for the school now!
Oh friend, I have so been there. The standards we hold ourselves to are ruthless! So glad that God sees us as so much more. We’re studying through 1 Peter right now…you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood…I love those verses.
Wow, you are right, we ARE RUTHLESS! So different from the kindness and mercy of God. Today my daughter prayed, “Thank you, God, for new days and 1000th chances.”
Thanks for this encouragement. It is easy to get caught up in our mistakes or worrying about what others think. It is reassuring to remember that God loves us no matter what and that we are his treasured possession.
Isn’t that the truth? About worrying what others think. I’m learning to rest from that, Lesley. But it’s a battle! 🙂
That has definitely been me these past two weeks of getting back to work after surgery. I’ve felt like I’m always running behind, and not offering my best! A friends at work said to me yesterday, “You’re too hard on yourself.” And she’s right:) I try to be perfect all the time, but I read a devo earlier this week that cautioned against trying to control the little things and only relying on the Holy Spirit for the big things. It encouraged relying on God’s power in ALL things, not my own strength. Your post is confirmation for me today, Betsy!
Oh yes, Kristine! That’s what I’m trying to learn: let go of my own strength. Rely on God’s power. Yes. And we ARE hard on ourselves. A friend below called us “ruthless,” and I think she’s right!
Love, love, LOVE! Don’t let your MESS-ups define you! Now there’s a lesson we can probably all use. I’ve been saying no to lots of good things lately so I can hopefully combat some of the stress of the previous year. But it’s hard. Especially when I see areas I could be helping in more. It’s a tough road to walk, but I don’t have to let those “no’s” define me either! Blessings!
Good for you! About saying “no.” I need to do that more myself. And yes, only God defines us! Treasured, precious, loved. 🙂
Another just for me today, Betsy! Thanks for speaking truth, peace, and grace into my life today- I’m hearing the Lord and it’s so sweet : )
Oh thank you, Bethany. Your comment means a lot, friend.
Such a beautiful reminder of His truth, Betsy. Thank you for sharing on Grace and Truth.
Thanks for reading, Aimee. I appreciate you.