Why do we feel like we have to do everything right?

Why do we feel like we have to do everything right? We feel like failures when our children don't crawl or talk or jump or speak or feed themselves or walk or ride their bikes or potty train when the proverbial "they" say they "should". We question our parenting skills when our children get in "trouble" at school or misbehave in the grocery store. We question and we doubt and we second guess our EVERYTHING. Anybody else feel this pressure to be the best and raise the best? We should strive for excellence and strive to raise well rounded and polite offspring, but, geez, we need to take a deep breath and enjoy the time we have on this earth with the blessings God has given us. And, truth be known, I'm screaming this to myself (I only have one follower on this blog anyway...haha). So, anyone out there, take a moment right now with me and take a deep cleansing breath in...now exhale...go hug your kids, your spouse, your friend, your dog, your cat, your hamster, your neighbor! ;-) Tell them how awesome they are. And, know that everything is going to be just fine. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

I Matter

I had lunch with a future friend last week. It was such a refreshing time to spend with her. She engaged me in conversation about myself and my leadership style, etc. Through her inquiry, I felt God reaffirming in me my value, my worth to His purpose and plan. Not that I ever doubted my value to Him, but as a woman, wife, mother, daughter, and friend, I have found that I have passed through many phases in ministry: singleness, young married, new parent, and now parent of older more independent children. When the kiddos were more dependent, my focus and purpose was ministering to them. As they have become more independent, I have more "me" time, and can focus on ministering outwardly again. My kids are still a ministry focal point, but I don't have all my time spent changing diapers, keeping them out of harms way, feeding them, clothing them, rocking them to sleep, taking every opportunity as a teaching moment. I can see myself as valuable to those outside of my family. I don't mean to sound conceited, that's not my heart or my intent. It's not all about me or "look at me." It's about the view of myself and the value and worth God has placed upon me...it's about me believing that God has a plan for me, Jana Gibson, to make a difference in Kansas City for Him. Thanks Future Friend for your time and for, unsuspecting to you, your affirmation of my heart.