Be You

Friday afternoon I was with a friend of mine who is a terrific Mom. She has B/G twins 5 months younger than my trio and a 2 1/2 year old. Whenever I am around her I am amazed at the bravery, confidence and athleticism her children possess. 

I can remember a play date a couple of years ago when her barely 4 year olds were zipping up and down my driveway without training wheels. When I saw her Friday afternoon at the pool I was astounded by the sight of her 2 year old jumping off the diving board (without any sort of flotation device) and swimming to the ladder unassisted. With a wide grin she would climb out of the pool and do it again. And you should see them play tennis... Her kids always seem to be two years ahead of mine in what they can do physically.

As she and I were chatting poolside, I commented on her skills as a Mom to so patiently instruct and encourage them. She laughed and said, "Well, it is kind of my thing." She played tennis in college, so athleticism is her comfort zone. She enjoys teaching her children to bike, swim, play tennis, etc. Personally, I find that those things are a challenge. My husband is far more patient and skilled at that type of instruction.

We are all gifted differently. I love to teach my children life lessons. When we are figuring out this big wide world together, I feel 'in the zone.' 

I am not the crafty Mom, the organically grown and cooked from scratch Mom, or the laid back 'unschooling' inclined Mom. I respect those Moms, but their gifting is different from mine--not better, not worse, just different. I have come to peace with the fact that NO ONE can do it all. I want to learn from other people's gifts--but in a way that is encouraging, not guilt-inducing.

I have written on this passage before, but it is such an excellent reminder to Moms everywhere...

Let's go ahead & be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't." 

Romans 12:6 (The Message)

We are parts of a body. We need each other. God designed us to live in community so we could each influence and contribute according to what we have been given. God's design for us is unique. I am to be the best ME and you are to be the best YOU. This is impossible if we are always comparing and trying to be someone else.

I LOVE this passage because of the reminder to BE without enviously or pridefully comparing. Instead, let's live together in community where we can appreciate the differences and use them to "spur one another on towards love and good deeds."

The great by-product of this way of thinking is that when we let go of the comparison game we will find ourselves encouraged rather than discouraged--and full of much more peace and joy. Our husbands and children will certainly benefit greatly from that!