I wish you could hear a playlist of my thoughts as I weigh the options in my mind: I really should go to church/small group/this party/that event/etc tonight...I didn't make it last week...but I've got that appointment early tomorrow morning...what are people going to think if I don't come?...oh, but I'm just so tired right now...I'm still trying to catch up from last week...but I really should be more social...why am I so antisocial?...I just don't feel up to it right now though...
Do what you CAN. I've never been good at saying "no." I've always cared a little too much about what other people think, and as a result, spread myself a little bit too thin. This season of life - pregnancy - has taught me a lot of lessons, but learning how to say no and being okay with not being "okay" weren't necessarily ones I expected to come with it. I didn't expect to look back at morning sickness {lol, ALL DAY sickness} for 17 weeks as God's grace in my life, but as it turns out, that's exactly what it was. Through that time of forced physical stillness, I was able to hear Him say to me: "Ashley, do what you can." During those weeks, there were days when I had to pick the most important task, and stir up the energy to complete that ONE thing for the day. I felt so weak and broken, and beat myself up over what a "terrible wife" I was being. Now, I can see how the Lord was using that to prepare me to continue recognizing the most important thing in each season to come. There are a lot of great ministries to serve in at church. There are a lot of important social functions to attend. There are a lot of good stay-at-home business opportunities I could use to make additional income for our family, and a lot of different ways I could use the gifts & abilities God has given me. But I've learned that for every good or great thing I say "yes" to, there is a cost. Sometimes, it's simply not worth it. Do what you CAN. In Mark 14:3-9, we learn about a woman who anointed Jesus with a very costly jar of ointment. This was an act of worship and adoration towards Jesus, yet some people didn't approve. I don't know about you, but I sure feel like I can relate to this woman. I might be giving it all I've got, but sometimes, it just doesn't feel like enough. I want to speak some truth over us today, friend. Listen to what Jesus had to say about the woman's service to him: "She has done a beautiful thing to me...She has done what she could...And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her." WOW, okay. Jesus didn't seem to mind that she wasn't involved in 186 ministries, was a PTA mom, ran her own in-home business, and cooked from-scratch paleo meals every night all at the same time. He saw her sacrifice & her heart, and he called it beautiful. In fact, he was so moved by her gesture that he promised to honor her throughout the whole world! {That's why we're talking about her today, and that straight up blows my mind}. Do what you CAN, not what everyone else thinks you should. Do whatever it is that is most important, most appropriate, and most effective for honoring Christ & living out the Gospel in this season, whatever that looks like for you right now. I don't have to do it all, and neither do you. Just give what precious little you have back to the Lord, and he will find it beautiful.
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Ashley Setterlind: Jesus lover, wife, new mama to a baby girl. Archives
October 2018
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