you are enough.

A couple of weeks ago, I sat across the table from a friend who inspires me. Her words are beautiful. She mothers with grace. She teaches with conviction and love and reaches out to friends when they need it most.

We sat at that table together and shared our struggles and our hopes and talked about how excited we were for the upcoming summer season. We talked about dreams and letting go of dreams. And we talked about our mothers and grandmothers, and we wondered what kind of pressure our mothers and grandmothers have felt.

Over the past year, I have been so inspired and stirred by looking at others’ dreams and goals and successes. The books people write. The speaking opportunities people have. The art they make. I see these things and I love them. I cheer and encourage. And then I want that, too!

So then I had all the thoughts that I have to have a thing. She has a thing. And he has a thing. And that person has a thing. I need a thing, obviously.

But also over these months and then time spent with dear friends who love me and see me, I truly believe that I am enough. I am enough without a thing. I don’t have to have a thing. I am most alive when life is simple.

you are enough

Isn’t that a relief? Some people just have it! They’re talented. They’re inspiring. They can speak to the masses.

But I know that I can play it small and I can still use my influence for His glory. Because I am enough. He paid the ultimate price for me, and He sees me, He created me, and because of those reasons alone, I am enough.

I can love my husband and serve my kids and have strong friendships. I can serve my community and love those around me. And then I can cheer for those around me that are doing big things.

As we step forward into this summer season, the people I want to influence are the ones that live in my home and the ones that walk through life with us.

Making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch. Folding six loads of laundry. Driving in the car and listening to “I’m in the Lord’s army.” Catching up with a friend over coffee.  Having “Let it Go” dance parties in the family room after bath time. Sitting at the kitchen table and building Legos and coloring. Date night with my husband. Falling asleep while watching TV with my husband.

It’s the every day. It’s the ordinary. It’s simple.

What I do doesn’t define me. I am who He created me to be. And someday, I may stumble into my dream and things will completely change.

“But we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that we may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”- 1 Peter 2:9

So let’s quit striving. Let’s stop doubting. And let’s walk in the truth that we are enough.

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Comments

  1. says

    I am so glad that I am not the only one without a “thing”. I have has all those same thoughts and insecurities. Thank you for being transparent with your thoughts. For by doing so, God has used you to bring comfort 🙂

  2. says

    I love 1 Thess 4:10-12 And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

  3. April says

    I feel the same way about needing a “thing” for myself too. It’s hard to know in our heart that what we do each day is enough but you are so right. I think you already have a thing and it’s that you are an encourager. I have seen you post about what other people are making, writing, doing and they receive encouragement from those posts and probably a boost in the sale of their jewelry, book, cards, coffee mugs, etc. I think that is what you are great at is encouraging and uplifting those you come in contact with and that is an awesome thing!

  4. HeatherM says

    “And someday I may stumble into my dream”… What if you have already done that and just not realized it yet. Maybe your “thing” is having the strength, wisdom, and courage to NOT overcommit in a society that pressures us to do so- and being open and honest about why you are called to that during this season of your life.

  5. Heather says

    I really love this post. I’m newly pregnant with my second child, and will stay home after he/she is born in December. It is a tough balance of loving my job and wanting to find my purpose in raising these young children. I know staying home will be hard but it will be enough. Thanks for this.

  6. says

    Yes, yes, yes!!! I have the same struggle but am understanding more & more that I AM enough…because of Him! I’m confident that you & I would have great conversations over coffee together if ever given the opportunity 🙂

  7. says

    Love this post. I bet a lot of young Moms needed it.

    It is really freeing when you come to know and accept this. God has blessed us all with different gifts and purposes. And one is not more important than another. I truly believe that. Ministering to one friend is just as important as writing a book for thousands. I am constantly telling my kids this and sometimes I need to remind myself too. There is such beauty in the mundane that we do for others each day.

    I live in a neighborhood with someone very famous who does the same kind of work I do. She is very talented and sometimes I wonder why I don’t have the incredible opportunities she has ( you would totally know who she is…super famous!) But really, I am not sure I want those opportunities. I am not judging her. Just saying—- I like to be home with my family and I am still making a difference in individual lives with my work everyday.

    As I get older it gets so much easier to measure myself by my standards and God’s and not by others but I think everyone gets trapped sometimes.

    I remind myself often that I have an audience of one (God) and that comparison is the thief of joy (Theodore Roosevelt).

    I hope you have a joyful and simple summer with your gorgeous boys!!!

  8. says

    This is so great, Erin! (And I think your “thing” is your hospitality!) I think a big takeaway from MTH for me was that I am enough even in the in between stages of life. I am enough to “just” be a wife in this season.

  9. says

    Such a great reminder! I’ve often felt like I didn’t have a “thing” either – like crafting, scrapbooking, sewing, etc. – but then I try to remember that my calling in this season of life is a huge one that I am honored to have. The days might seem mundane, but I’m right where I need to be.

  10. says

    This is so well written Erin! I hope this spoke to a lot of people’s hearts today that needed to hear this truth!
    xoxo,
    Sheaffer 🙂

  11. says

    I am so glad to know that someone as inspiring as you has struggles like this. I have never really had a “thing.” There are some days I look around and so wish I did have a “thing” like so many others. Thanks for the reminder that it’s okay to just be me and be enough.

  12. Jessica says

    Needed to read this after letting myself get a little caught up in everyone else’s lives and “things” on Instagram tonight. What I have and what I am is enough. Thank you for being so real and such a great example of God’s love. That’s definitely a “thing” 🙂

  13. says

    When I think of the most important and influential people in my life, they are usually not the ones with “things” – my Mom, my absolute favorite high school teacher, my piano teacher growing up. It sounds like a cliche, but truly being present and touching lives around you can be THE biggest thing.

  14. says

    It is so easy to get caught up in a competition to be the best mom, wife, volunteer, decorator, crafter, etc. We all know that comparison is the thief of joy. Thanks for writing this to remind us that we are ENOUGH.

  15. says

    Wow, this really spoke to me today. Some days I just get so weary from the striving. I have to learn to let go and know that God’s plan doesn’t require me to strive. It’s already there unfolding exactly the way it’s supposed to. This is a great reminder. Every season of life has it’s purpose. There are seasons where we are meant to serve our families with everything we have (those are my favorite). Thank you so much for sharing this. So beautifully articulated (you definitely have a gift!).

  16. Keisha Dawson says

    Such a great post! To me, you have a “thing”. You have had so much influence and inspiration over my life, and God has used you as an incredible tool to mold me and shape me as a mommy. I can’t thank Him enough for helping me to “stumble” upon your blog last October. Your words and examples have helped this high strung, stressed out mommy put all of the unnecessary aside and focus on what truly matters. Thank you so much for being so real! You are such a blessing!

  17. Lisa says

    Oh my goodness what a wonderful post! That was a hug for my heart, mind and soul. Thank you for your wisdom. I think that may be your “thing.” 🙂

  18. says

    I absolutely love this! I totally feel the same… I don’t really have a “thing” either. It’s frustrating when everyone seems to! This post is so reassuring and wonderful; thank you for writing it.

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