When In The World Will It Be Enough?
Do you get overwhelmed easily?
I have talked numerous times about being “enough”. I feel the need to talk about this because that is often a ringing conversation I have with others. No conversation sticks out in particular, but being “enough” is really an idea that our culture speaks against; therefore, causing that good ole “mom guilt” that we like to deny we have.
I can be a bandwagon jumper. Oh do I like a good idea and the challenge to try it myself. I fully admit I like the easy-fix stuff. Everything from self-help books in parenting and faith to what I put on the dinner table. You too?
I often think “well if I just try this…” then maybe I will achieve “these” results. Results that maybe I’ve been searching for, to make me more happy. But in the end, what I am searching for, is to fill a void that I feel I have in my life. A void that can only be filled with Christ.
The problem is, then what do we do with all of the clutter of culture? What do we do with all of the different diet plans that culture says we should be on, for example? Now I have to be careful here because there is a diet that I am on as well – a heart-healthy diet. I see the benefit that a heart-healthy diet has, but then I wonder, how does this compare to the umpteen other diets in the world like…
- Whole30
- 21 Day Fix
- Atkins diet
- Ketogenic diet
- Vegetarian diet
- Vegan diet
- Weight Watchers diet
- South Beach diet
- Raw food diet
- Paleo
- DASH
And those are just a few that are out there. So what in the world am I supposed to be on? I remember someone had asked that question at cardiac rehab one week and what it basically came down to was watch what goes into your body and everything in moderation. With a heart-healthy diet, that idea fits perfectly in there. Low salt (meaning salt in moderation), low processed foods (meaning in moderation), basically watch what you consume.
Now I should have prefaced this little part with the fact that I see NOTHING wrong with diets! Like I said, I am on one too. In fact, I have seen numerous lives changed because of diets, which have led to incredible weight loss. WHICH I think is absolutely EXCELLENT. I am not saying you shouldn’t do these things. My point is that we are bombarded with so many things in life, so which is considered the “right” thing to do? When in the world IS it enough? Let me list some of the other things we measure our success and “enoughness” with:
- The type of car we drive
- The type of clothing we wear and WHERE we bought it from
- The latest fashions
- The “smartness” of our children – when are they able to say their ABCs, walk, write their name, etc.
- The ability to have our ducks in a row – do we have it all together?
- The places we shop for things (other than clothes)
All we do is compare, compare, compare. So when in the world is it enough? That enough-ness, can truly only come from contentment in the Lord. And I struggle with this. I often think I need my life to look “this” way, in order to feel content and like I’m enough, but I have to fully admit, my life has not gone the way I thought it would go. It has been a complete 180 which has been the BEST thing that has ever happened to me.
I have found the most contentment when I stopped looking at what others had and found joy in the things God has given us. When I have found the most contentment was when I was worried about myself and not what others were doing, but was thankful for the life God has given me. I think it is very important to have conversations with other people about life. What works for them, what doesn’t. In fact, it’s because of others that I have found what I love the most – a simple life. I see others live simply and it makes me want to do the same. In moderation of course. I L-O-V-E having conversations with other moms to see how they live their life. But do I find myself trying to measure up? Trying to find that enough-ness? That’s where the difference lies. Do I listen as a friend or just compare?
My friend, you are doing what you can. Don’t let the ways of this world persuade you otherwise. You’ve got this. When in the world will it be enough? I’m here to tell you that you ARE enough.
All God wants is YOU. Heart-healthy diet and all!
