Do you ever feel like the YOU you want to be is just out of reach? Like you finally have everything just how you want it in life and then it slips out of your fingers as smoothly as a wave upon the sand? Perhaps it’s the vision you have for your home decorating style or maybe it’s the level of physical fitness you hope to maintain. On a less frivolous note, it might your children’s behavior in public or the unexpected struggles you are having with them. On a more personal level, you may be wrestling with habits of the heart that are so entrenched in your life you are beginning to wonder if they are irreparable traits of your personality that you are destined to live with forever. And then do you ever look around you at the other women in your life and feel like somehow YOU are the only one left out of the Got It All Together club? Somehow they have the immaculate homes, the perfectly toned bodies, the self-controlled attitudes, and the well-behaved kids that will never be yours.

Maybe it’s just me who has to take these frustrating thoughts captive on a nearly daily basis, but I have an inkling that I am not alone in my pity parties. I think that comparing ourselves with other women, even with our friends, in the areas where we feel the most insecure is one of our greatest weaknesses as women. I am not excusing us, but I do believe that it is helpful to identify this fact so that it can be addressed. I am also not saying that there is an easy fix to this all-too-common problem. There isn’t; I think that it is something we will have to fight against daily, and we will need to teach our daughters to do the same.

Yep, it’s going to be a daily fight, but there is hope! The Bible says that Jesus has begun a good work in us, and He will be faithful to complete it. These very struggles are what can draw us closer to Him because they are a daily reminder that we need Him. We will never have it all together; we will never be perfect, and if we ever start to think we are, well, that’s a certain indicator that we now have to deal with pride in addition to everything else. When are weaknesses, failings, mistakes, and imperfections start to consume us; when we want to just lock ourselves in our homes and never come out because we feel completely left out of the perfect club; when we think that there is nothing left that could wrong, and then it does; let’s take those moments to rejoice that His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses. Thank you, Jesus, that we need You every day!

P.S. I’m here if you’re ever feeling left out of the Got It All Together club. I’m thinking about giving up on applying for membership. 😉