We are 15 days into the new year. Can you believe it? It kind of feels like my head is spinning at the thought of how fast time is flying. There’s so many things I could say to you right now about how God is leading me to deeper places by humbling me with his kindness. He’s reminding me that I’m not super woman and I don’t have to be her to be great. I can be me. You can be you, you know?
Expectations.
What expectations have you put on yourself?
My greatest downfall is trying to do it all and come out looking like I didn’t sweat. “Nope, I got it. Yes, I can do all that. Look at me balance these tasks.” I’ve come a long way from where I was but I haven’t arrived. In fact, I find that in every new season of my life, I’m learning it in a different way. These unforced rhythms that God has called me, you, to live in and from.
When I was single I overworked my body by saying yes to too many things and wound up sick more than I should have. When Joel and I first married I would fill my days with todo’s and run around trying to fit the bill of a perfect wife. And after I gave birth to Elijah, there was another human that I needed to perfectly* and fully be attentive to.
In every season I’ve had to learn the art of saying “No” in order to protect my YES. And those NO’s weren’t always to other people. In fact, a lot of times they were no’s that I needed to say to myself. I’ve had to learn and relearn this by thinking about what and whom I really want to give my attention to and since Elijah was born, a new desire to steward that has risen. Because I don’t want to be an overworked and overused woman who doesn’t have time to mother my son or wife my husband. I never want to sacrifice my family for the sake of looking like superwoman.
So what did I do to begin this journey of a less chaotic and stressful way of life to a more peaceful and purposeful one? I’d like to share with you 3 tips that keep my feet grounded:
- I ask God, “is this idea or thing for this particular season I’m in or for a future season?”
- Will saying yes to this person cause me to be overwhelmed?
- Is this decision the best for me? For who I am, and for what my family needs?
These 3 tips of wisdom have cut out so many things that could have stolen from my life instead of adding to it. If you can relate to any of this, maybe it’s time to say: I’m not superwoman, I’m ______________! And be her. Be you! And be okay with it. You’ll begin to love your life and yourself for these choices.
Leave me a comment below! I’d love to hear from you.
Love,
Jessica Tobler
