ForgottenWoman

That requires so much work, so much energy, and so much time… why don’t you just stop?

Quotes about difficult things being worthwhile often highlight effort, perseverance, and the value found in overcoming challenges. Theodore Roosevelt’s classic quote, “Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty,”  is one such quote. Recently, in one of those sweet Hallmark movies, I heard it stated this way: “Nothing worth having comes easy, and nothing that comes easy is worth having,” emphasizing that struggle builds value, character, and true reward.

I do have to be honest and say that the things I’m going to discuss today aren’t the result of my thinking through those quotes or sentiments. The truth is that there are things about each of us that make us who we are – that make us unique, that give us an individual quality that well, not to be repetitive… makes us individuals. I’ve spent much of my life hearing that those unique things that make me, me – well, they are negatives, burdensome, the result of trying to prove something, etc. The truth is that many of the things that I do that seem unique are the very things that bring me great joy. Period. It’s who I am – who God created me to be.

I’m here today to express that these days I choose to lean into those things that my heart desires, to work hard to make things happen for others that I believe will have lasting effects. I am choosing to continue doing so – even when others criticize or don’t understand the reasoning behind my quirks, choices, and activities. I don’t even care anymore if I’m misjudged or if my priorities are questioned. That used to shush me, that used to limit the things that I did – the things I truly wanted to do. Now… I go for it. Laugh at me. Call me names. Put a negative spin on what I believe is positive – I no longer allow it to stop me. I just keep moving.

How did I get here? Well, not to try to sound overly “righteous” or “spiritual”, the fact is that I got here by sitting at the feet of Jesus and pouring out the doubts, insecurities, anxieties, wounds, expectations – all of it! Pouring it out, as in pitchers at a time. I got here by examining who I am in Christ, what parts of me are God-given personality traits, and what parts of me are learned behaviors (whether positive or negative). I got here by getting my eyes off of myself and onto those God has given me to serve, to love, to make an impact in their lives. And now, I ask Him how I can best communicate with them, how I can best invest in them, how I can best pour a love into them that will never leave them – and I act on what I believe will do those things.

The question of why I do certain things has come up a lot recently… The suggestion that I just don’t do “so much” has been made repeatedly. The words, “You really don’t have to do all of that!” have been said. “What’s the purpose?” has been asked. “You must be so tired – maybe you should simplify what you do!” has been said. “Why go to all that trouble – nobody really cares!” has also been said.

Here’s my thought process, which is somewhat the opposite of the quotes I shared earlier. “Just because it is difficult, doesn’t mean I shouldn’t do it!” and “Yes, much of what I do requires that I work hard, leaves my body aching and sore, cuts into my sleep time, and leaves little time for self-care. (That’s a big one!) And, why do I share on social media some of what I pour into? Because you would be amazed at how many people reach out after a post sharing… That’s why.

*I want to love so big that none of my people doubt that they are loved beyond measure. I want to communicate so clearly that none of my people have to wonder how I feel about them. I want to serve so faithfully that none of my people have to carry more than they are capable of carrying alone. I want to work so hard that no one has to pick up my slack. I want to pray so constantly that my heart has no room for bitterness and anxiety, for worry or fear. I want to battle on my face in prayer so faithfully that all of my people have their lives, their protection, their provision, their hearts spoken to the Almighty God of the universe every single day. I want to give lavishly, I want to love loudly, I want to serve deeply and I want to pray faithfully – what that looks like may be unique and may raise eyebrows – and no it isn’t easy… but let’s go back to where we started: “Nothing worth having comes easy, and nothing that comes easy is worth having,”

Oh, and by the way… all of those things that I listed that I want to be… I fail daily – and I get back up and try again the next day. Success looks like strings of small failures but never giving up, because with each effort that seems to “fail” progress is being made toward the goal!