The Flame Within

I’m tired of beating myself up for all the things I don’t do… I don’t do math. I hate math! And.. that’s okay! I don’t make my bed every morning. I hate gardening! I despise pulling weeds. I don’t decorate my home like Joanna Gains. I don’t handle hectic schedules well. I don’t like people who are gossips, two-faced, and jerks! I don’t handle controlling people well.
I don’t eat healthy all the time. I don’t bake… or even cook a lot for that matter. I don’t work out an hour a day. There’s so many things I don’t do and I beat myself up for it! Why?

Instead of focusing on all the things I don’t do… I’m choosing to focus on the things I do.

I do love God with all my heart, mind, soul! I do love and try to respect and honor my husband! I do try to raise my children with all the emotional love, support, and sacrifice I possibly can! I try with all my being to raise them to love God and others! I do love people well! I do cherish relationships and am loyal to a fault.
I do counsel with a heart that cares deeply for God and for His children! I do like a house that’s not a cluttered mess! I do keep my house (usually) sanitary and try to pick up everyday. I do my best in all things!

Why is this rarely enough?

Women, friends, can you relate? Are you tired, stressed, and overwhelmed? Let’s agree to stop beating ourselves up for all we’re not and all we “don’t” do. We have to stop comparing ourselves to others. We have to choose to love and stop judging others. I choose love! I choose joy! I choose to live in peace! I choose to focus on the “do” and not measure myself against all my “don’t(s)”.

This is my commitment!

I want off this hectic hamster wheel way of living!

“Lord, Guide my heart in this commitment that you placed on my heart! Help me to remember that you love me just the way I am! You created me with gifts to “do” what I do well… To always challenge gently to move out of my comfort zones, but never place unreal, joy stealing expectations on myself. Show me daily the things that are important! Help me to trust you with my heart and to stop long enough to hear your still small voice in the midst of this crazy and loud world. Help me to know what things I need to give up to live the abundant life you’ve chosen for me… for my husband… for my children! Help me to let go of the busy and stress… To be truly able to embrace fully the joys of life! Help me, Lord, to trust and lean on you!

Your Daughter, Crystal”

Psalm 16:11 “You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.”