I Am Enough

Some days I make great meals, I homeschool my kids, and maybe even fold a load of laundry. Then I end the day curled up on the couch with a book trying to enjoy the moment. And that’s “all” that I did. And that is enough. 

All of the tiny critics shouting at me telling me to do more, to be more, to achieve more, those are lies. Even if I have a rough day or I’m able to do less than what I consider “the minimum”, it is still a good day.

Even if hot dogs end up being my homemade dinner. 

I’m enough because God says so. Because I am fully loved, not for what I do, but because of who I am. 

I am a child of God. I am a daughter of the King. 

God loves my husband and my children immensely more than I am even capable of. Which is hard to even understand. But whether I can comprehend it or not, He truly does. God loves me before I begrudgingly pull myself out of bed, on sick days, and grumpy mornings. His Abundant Love anchors me in Truth.

 I asked God to meet me this weekend. To meet me here in my own home. Like He did on my trip to London. And I feel that peace and that refreshment that I had in London. I feel that grounding and security. (You can read about that here.)

And with that foundation, I have a desire to speak goodness and love to those around me. To be kind in a way that I normally feel other people don’t deserve. Being grounded with God takes some of the selfishness away from me. It helps me see people differently. 

Books I Recommend:

Maybe one of these titles will speak to you and help you believe you are enough as a child of God.  

• Grace, Not Perfection by Emily Ley – This book is beautiful to look at and easy to read with little distractions running about. She is great at getting to the point, giving practical help, and being real with her story.

• Shalom Sistas by Osheta Moore – the tagline is: Living Wholeheartedly in a Brokenhearted World. Chapter 6 “Coffee Shop Alias” is all about being Enough. So very good! Some of my favorite quotes: “Shalom is what happens when the love of God meets our most tender places.” p.31 “Sweet Sista, what words have you attached to your soul that try to limit your identity and force you to live with shame?” p.78 (I have a short version of her Shalom Sista Manifesto on my bathroom wall and I read it every morning.)

• Embraced by Lysa Terkeurst – This is a devotional with 100 short devotions that took me about a year to finish because I didn’t read it every day. There are sections with titles like: “Embracing the Fullness Found Only In Him” and “Embracing Him in the Midst of Hurt & Heartbreak”.

• Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequest – This book I listened to as an audiobook. I spent time listening while folding laundry, nodding my head while driving, and stopping to take notes in my journal. Well written and very applicable. She met me where I was at.

• Becoming Myself by Stasi Eldredge – This book goes deep into past hurt and pain and how it shapes our current life. It took me some time to read and work through, but it was worth it.

• Teaching From Rest by Sarah Mackenzie – The tag line is “A Homeschooler’s Guide to Unshakable Peace”. I read this book every year in February when I feel overwhelmed and frustrated with my homeschooling or my parenting. She gently reminds me that what is most important is not the output but the relationship we have with our kids.  

• A Million Little Ways by Emily P. Freeman – This book was also on audio and read by Emily P. Freeman herself. She became a friend who walked along with me as she gradually lead me to believe in my worth again. I felt seen as I listened to her book and biblical truth filled my heart with courage and kindness for myself. My favorite quote: “We must be confident in our choices. In our brave yes or our solid no. Don’t let the critic set our agendas.”

Wherever you are on this journey, my prayer is that you will keep taking the next step forward.  

God is there for you.  

He is our beautiful Comforter, Counselor, our Guide. 

He will not leave you or forsake you. 

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”                    

Deuteronomy 31:8 

Questions:

• What have you read that has impacted how you see God?
• What Bible passages and verses have helped you feel grounded?
• What does your “minimum day” look like?
• What are some lies and critical thoughts that tear you down?
• How do you estimate your worth and contribution to the world?
• At the end of the day, what makes you feel accomplished?
• What are the days when you feel defeated and rejected?

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A Little Prayer:

Have a beautiful day! – April