I am a happy mother of 2 wonderful kids, 1 with special needs. There are so many days that at the end of the day, I feel so depleted and down about myself. So I asked myself, ‘how many times have you said “I am sorry” today?’ The next day I started keeping in my mind all the times that I said ‘I am sorry.’ Most days I say it almost all day long. I am so sorry I just spilled Cat Litter all over your store, I am so sorry I am late, I am so sorry that I forgot to sent that e-mail, I am sorry that my child just ran in front of you, and I am sorry that my kid acted up and did that while you were watching them. These are just a few things that by the end of the day, I feel like a failure. I feel like there has been nothing I have done right all day.
But then one day I had a dear friend that read Matthew 5 to me out of the message. This is what it says.
You’re Blessed
5:1-2 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:3 “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. 4 “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. 5 “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought. 6 “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat. 7 “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for. 8 “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. 9 “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family. 10 “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.
The other day our pastor said “Stop apologizing for who you are. Be proud of who you are.” So my life is crazy right now. I have a hard time keeping it all together. But it is my life. I am so grateful for my two kids, my crazy life. I do not want to trade my life. So even in the craziness, I want to be content in who I am- no more, no less. I want to be blessed when I am at the end of my rope. So tomorrow I will probably say I am sorry 50 times. But I will embrace it and continue to shine my light wherever I go.
So I encourage you to rest in these words above. Stop making apologies and be proud of who you are. No matter what you are going through, no matter how deep your sorrow, God is with you. You are never alone. I want to share one of my favorite songs by Kari Jobe.
hoperisestogether 