In God's Heart You Are...Strong
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Women sometimes joke about feeling as if we need to be like Wonder Woman in our daily lives. We often juggle a career, kids, marriage, friendships, and church activities. We start the day exhausted and end it the same way. Yet we push ahead, feeling sure we too are called to be superheroines who save the world. We pay the price with our bodies, hearts, and minds.
Many of us also harbor a secret—one we share with only a few people. Despite our Herculean efforts, our endless giving, and our selfless devotion…they never feel like enough. There is always another load of laundry to do, another hurting heart to comfort, another Bible study to attend. We silently wonder, “If this is the abundant life, why am I so tired?”
I’ll admit that I’ve often struggled with this question. As a type A, motivated, goal-oriented woman, I can wear myself out in a hurry. Wonder Woman and I are a bit different. She knows her mission, and that’s all she does. She also knows both her powers and her limitations.
I, on the other hand, look at Philippians 4:13 and say, “I can do everything…so that’s what I’d better do.” But I’m learning that God never calls me to do it all. My mission isn’t to save the world; Jesus has already done that. My mission also isn’t to be like my neighbors or the women I admire in my Bible study.
In The Path: Creating Your Mission Statement for Work and Life, author Laurie Beth Jones says, “You are either living your mission or you are living someone else’s.” The world tells us we need to do it all; Jesus reminds us that we’re called to fulfill a unique purpose. We can recognize our God-given strengths and respect our limitations. And when we do, the power we have through Christ exceeds anything we can imagine.
In the kingdom of God, we’re all Wonder Women.
Life is hard sometimes—
crazy, mixed-up, messed up.
And there you are in the middle of it all,
just doing your thing…
being strong and brave
and beautiful
like it’s no big deal.
But let me tell you, girl,
it is.
Not everyone can do what you can do.
Not everyone can handle things the way you can.
And while you wonder sometimes
if you’re doing okay…
the rest of us are just
watching in wonder.
–excerpt from God’s Heart for You: Embracing Your True Worth as a Woman {available as a book or ebook.}
* Read more on the Bloom (in)courage page & stop by facebook to see the latest "In God's Heart I Am..." photos! So amazing.
Thanks so much for being here this week. “In God’s Heart I Am…?” will continue! Every Tuesday on Heart to Heart with Holley we’ll talk about a different word. You can write a post on your blog about that word and link it up. And look for more giveaways when you do! Next week’s word: Loved.
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Holley Gerth
Reader Comments (23)
Lovin' your blog Holley!. Attended the Indianapolis Christian Writers Conference last year and sat in on your class. God has given you such a beautiful, warm spirit of encouragement. Thanks for sharing it with us!
Pam
Dear Holley,
This was a wonderful reminder for me. I think I need to learn my limitations and respect them.
And your statement that someone might be watching me in wonder -- it made me smile. :) Thank you for everything, sweet Holley!
Love and blessings,
God bless you, Holley, richly and abundantly. Doesn't it just give you butterflies down in your belly to think of the day you will meet Him face-to-face? Glory, glory, hallelulea!!
Holy Moly Gaucamole! that was amazing for me today, in this moment! Not the most eloquent words I could use but they hit the in the second emotion. ;) With Joy, Carey
Hi Holley
As a young woman I can identify with today's article....wonder woman and busy, busy busy. Now, with HIS help I have successfully raised my 3 children (thank you Jesus) and I struggle with NOT being needed and busy. I have to talk to the Lord all the time about this. I miss my children terribly and since they are wonderful, independent, responsible (praise Jesus)...I am not needed! That is hard. They all live far away. Even though I seek and have found other things to serve the Lord...my heart still misses them and being involved with them. A different season in life that we all have to adjust to. I am happy to be able to tell people that I miss our children though!! I really enjoy getting the emails and being encouraged. I am looking forward to buying your new little book...God's Heart for You
thanks
Deanne
There are so many women that I truly stand in amazement "watching in wonder" at how they do it ALL, then someone will say the same to me... Thank you for the picture of being and doing just what God wants me to be/do
I'm a little slow on the uptake, but....
I'm SO EXCITED YOU WROTE ANOTHER BOOK!!!!
And these words.... I love these words. In a season of self-doubt, this week God seems to be whispering to me that I'm stronger than I think and more cherished than I assumed. Thank you for being part of that whisper. :)
Loved today's post. Thank you.
I am loving your recent posts & am very anxious to get your book. I drug my 3 year old to 4 book stores this week to find it and didn't have any luck! I do plan to order it online though. God brought me to your blog a year ago and has spoken to my heart with every post. I just wanted to say thank you for being unafraid to reveal your weaknesses and so giving with your words of encouragement. It means more than you could ever know!
Thank you Holley, for your encouraging posts!