Abide: God Picked Me

My thoughts as we look ahead to Mother's Day ...

I was lying on the sofa one morning after dropping the girls off at school, feeling inadequate and exhausted over the thought of not being what my girls need .... or want.  Sometimes, when Eric is traveling and I'm beginning to unravel at the end of the week, I look at my girls and think "Bless your hearts.  You're stuck with me".

An innocent comment was made from the back seat on the way to school that morning, yet it left me feeling anxious.  Sad.

________'s Mom did this.

________'s Mom did that.

That sudden disdain for _________'s Mom crept up in my heart and I decided I wouldn't like her anymore. Ha! We are a funny people, no?

I'm very aware of the Comparison Game and how it leaves you feeling empty and less than .... inaccurately so.

Us twenty-first century Moms live in an age where Pinterest, Facebook & Twitter taunts us to be the best cooks, the best hostesses, the best organizers, the best decorators, the best gardners and the best crafters.

And, if we're not careful, we'll look around our home, watch our children, argue with our husband and discontent will settle in our hearts.

That morning, I picked up a HomeLife magazine and read a quick article Sophie had written.  One sentence leapt off the page and though this isn't word-for-word, the idea has resonated with me over the last few months .... God hand-picked ME to be Mom to my girls. 

Not ________'s Mom, not the patient Mom in the grocery store, not the Mom that can sew beautiful clothes for her family and not the Mom that's a gourmet cook.

Me.

I love remembering that I am hand-picked to do anything.

He could have chosen anyone.  But, He chose me.

Chosen.

I am the one Olivia wants when her tummy is hurting.

I am the one Olivia sheepishly tip-toes to when she wants me to read to her from a special book she has dubbed 'ours'. 

I am the one Emma wants when she's feeling anxious.

I am the one Emma wants to hear sing 'our song'.  The one she's heard since she was in a crib.

I am the one my girls love to snuggle with in the mornings.

I am the one Olivia asks to play card games - War and Slap Jack.

I am the one Emma loves to go shopping with.

I am the one my girls see in the hallway at school when they squeal with excitement recognizing I'm there.

I am the one my girls love to ride bikes with and pick honeysuckles.

God Picked Me.

And though He knows I'm going to mess up often, He also knows my heart is to love them like He loves me.

Oh, and guess what ... He picked you, too!

He picked YOU to be Mom to your children.  No one else.

He picked YOU to be the friend someone needs during a difficult season in her life.

He picked YOU to be the daughter your parents are proud of.

He picked YOU to compliment your husband in a way that makes him feel respected and appreciated.

He picked YOU to make a difference.

No one else.

Linking up with: Walk with Him Wednesday, Word-filled Wednesday, Wordful Wednesday, and Women Living Well.