Last night, I went to bed feeling discouraged.
One of our children is worrying me. I spent too much time on my Facebook feed comparing myself to other writers (and typing this makes me want to vomit but, hey. I reveal my ugly around these parts.) I’m still decompressing from last week’s continual fog of sadness after one tragic event unfolded after another.
I know. Cue the Debbie Downer music.
But I can’t help but wonder . . . Surely I’m not the only one. Do you feel this way at times, too?
Sometimes the work here on earth as a mother, wife, and woman-in-general feels so overwhelmingly insurmountable that I just want to run back to my bed and lose myself in a good book.
I know. Not healthy. Classic escapism. But again, I’m being real here.
At 2:50 a.m., I awoke more bright-eyed than I ever thought I could be at 2:50 a.m. I kept trying to fight it off – if I just read my book for a bit (thank God for the Nook with the backlight!) I might fall asleep. If I just lie here for a bit longer . . .
But it didn’t happen. God roused me awake for a reason.
“Hey, Natalie . . .” I heard Him whisper as I remained entangled in my sheets, hoping to will the sleeplessness away.
“We need to talk. There’s good coffee downstairs. Let’s go.”
Clearly, God knows how to get me out of bed.
Last night, Sarah and I decided to focus on scripture each day that reminded us of who we are in God’s eyes. This morning, I picked up a devotional given to me this past week because I’m part of my son’s preschool’s parent board.
I admit that I usually add books like this to my shelf and find them again years later. But this one was left out because it intrigued me.
The first devotional centered around Psalm 139 – only my favorite Psalm EVAH.
Maybe you need to hear it, too?
In a nutshell, girl, we are knit together. Fearfully and wonderfully made. Hemmed-in behind and before. So loved there’s nowhere we can flee from His spirit. Knit together carefully in the wombs of our mothers. All of our days were known by Him before we even lived just one of them.
And if that’s not enough, sister . . .
May I remind us all of Ephesians 2:10?
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
YOU were created to do something only YOU can do.
In other words, YOU matter. Even on the days when you feel like you don’t.
Very timely my friend. You have no idea. Thank you. :)
You’re welcome, sweet friend. You matter to me – BIG time. :)
Thank you! Great reminder. Needed reminder.
And YOU? YOU matter to me big time, too! :)
Wow, I really needed to hear that right now!! Thanks for sharing!
Encouraging words for women at any stage of life, Natalie. As an older mom, I can tell you…those adult kids can leave you feeling failed and insignificant, too. And questioning every decision you ever made. You have to remind yourself you did the best you could at the time and stop looking back on the bad days.
Oh, good wisdom, Sue. Thank you. I know you are correct – I am doing it now with my eight year old. I see that it won’t ever stop…Gee, thanks, Sue…HA! Just kidding – I love that you shared this with me because then I won’t be wondering if I’m crazy as it keeps continuing. It brings me great joy when the women ahead of me in the game of life pass down their wisdom. Very Titus 2 of you, dear friend!
On another note…I am praying for you each day. For COMPLETE healing.
Wow, that is really timely and needed. Thanks!
You are quite welcome, Georgia. I needed it today as well – you aren’t alone. :)
Thank you for reading and commenting – wonderful to meet you here.
Thanks for the reminder! All too often we forget we matter and that we are wonderfully made & loved!
Love your blog and wonderful wisdom & timely reminders! So many times I feel like you have written certain blog posts just for me because they hit so close to home and are just what I needed! Thank you for using your gift to love & encourage woman and most importantly to glorify God! <3
That was needed. Thank you.
Even as an archive…I needed this. Thank you for always knowing what to say! God Bless.