Did you ever have a really bad case of the ERs? As in, I should be smart-ER, kind-ER, thin-ER, pretty-ER and on and on and on? I've had a little battle with the ERs this week. Why can't I figure out this freelance story I'm all tangled up in? Why can't I find the right hook to get a publisher's attention for what I REALLY want to write? Why can't I fit into last year's jeans? Why can't I keep my house clean for more than two days running? I should probably be smarter, thinner, more creative, better organized . . . Fortunately, God had the wisdom—or maybe it was mercy?—to put in my path two extraordinary women who made me realize the foolishness of all those ERs. One was a complete stranger who soon will leave the U.S. to take care of needy people in her native Africa. The other is a dear friend who is taking care of her own parents. Both women have had moments of "Am I really the one You've chosen to do this? Because I'm not sure I'm [FILL IN THE BLANK] enough." But both of them are willing to be used. And that's all that matters. You can only do what you can do, the best way you know how, at any given moment. God knows exactly who we are and what we have inside. He knows how to use us if we'll let Him. When I was in elementary school, my mother used to tell me, "If you do your very best, and you get an 'F,' I'll be very proud of that 'F.' But if you don't do your best, and you get a 'B," I won't be very proud of that 'B."" I'm carbon-dating myself because I don't think they even grade kids like that any more, but what my mother said stuck with me. So did my conversations with those two amazing women this week. All we have to do is our best for God. I don't think He'll set any of us up for an 'F' on our report card:) As Jesus told his disciples, "Freely you have received, freely give."
And even the very hairs of your head are numbered.
So don't be afriad; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Matthew 10:30
Comments