Enough

I can still remember walking into my very first military spouse get-together fifteen years ago. The Commander's wife was hosting, and I had agonized over my outfit and shoes for the past week! I was newly married (about a month out from our honeymoon), in a new state and I didn't know a soul. To say it was daunting is an understatement. I was overwhelmed, and for the first time in my adult life I had this nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach that I didn't measure up.

That feeling has snuck up on me numerous times over the years. Every time we move (and we move alot), we have to start over. New friends, new neighbors, new squadrons, new churches...it's easy to sink into the pit of comparison. What if they don't like me? My husband and I come from a long line of public school teachers, so when we decided to pursue homeschooling, there it was again. What if I'm not qualified? A job interview after being "just" a mom for several years. What if I've been out of the game for too long? The guilt of trying to pursue my passions and be a good mother/teacher/wife/friend/sister and on and on and on. What if...what if I'm not enough?

There it is. There's the culprit. What if, at our core, we're not enough?

Am I speaking to your heart? Have I struck a cord yet? Do you, in quiet moments alone, ask yourself the same questions? Oh sister, I know that's a heavy burden to carry.

Here's what I know to be true, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10). We are His workmanship, created in Christ. It's taken me a long time to let those words penetrate my soul. And while I'd be lying if I said I don't ever feel overwhelmed or compare myself to others anymore, those sweet words serve as a balance for me. Who is it exactly that we are trying to measure up to? Who are we so worried about judging us? And if we truly believe that Jesus is the ultimate Authority, then why are we so preoccupied with what other people (sinners, just like us!) think?

Romans 12:2 reminds us to not be "conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Focus on Him, on the fruits of the spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control), and on following the 1st and 2nd greatest commandments according to Jesus (loving God and loving your neighbors). If we set our hearts and minds on these things, how can we fail? Hint, we can't!

You are worthy. You are capable of doing hard things. And you are more than enough in the eyes of the only One who truly matters. And when those doubts start whispering to you again, remember that, "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." (Hebrews 6:19). In the middle of the hardest night, in the midst of the biggest storm, in presence of our deepest fears, He will not waver. Rest in that today, friend. Rest knowing that the Lord of all creation calls you His.