There was a long time in my life, where I was searching for my “purpose,” and trying to figure out what it meant to be me. Day by day life was sometimes a struggle for me, and I constantly compared myself to what the world deems as important, or successful.
Since I lived a simple life, and chose to be a wife, mother, and homemaker, versus a successful business woman or rocket scientist, I was lead to believe that somehow I was a failure as a woman. That I was a let down to the feminists of this culture…who seem to thrive on the “me first” philosophy of life, and the idea that children or family should never hold a woman back from the glory that she is…or should be.
I was being pulled in two opposite directions. The world was pulling me in the direction of finding what “I” needed to be happy, and my heart was pulling me in the direction of striving to find ways to make my family happy.
This constant battle in my heart and mind caused discontent and confusion. I had no idea what it was that I needed, and certainly did not know who this elusive “me” was. Down deep, I knew that there was much to learn about myself, and knew that it would not be an easy thing…to find my true purpose, and to feel comfortable in my own skin.
My main struggle was that I honestly believed that I needed to be perfect…look perfect, act perfect, and have a perfect family who lived in a perfectly clean home in order to be even close to the level of anyone else in the world. So I tried day after day, week after week, month after month, and then year after year, to look like all was good.
Except that I knew I could never be perfect in any area of my life, and so I could never be “ok.” It was a conundrum. And I went round and round, searching for who I really was, and what I was doing on this planet.
Even though I wasn’t yet aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life, he lead me to the first steps of reading self help books, and then to therapy. Book after book, and each therapy session taught me one tidbit after another, teaching me to love myself and not to be afraid of asking, and sometimes demanding, what I needed to be happy.
When I found my “power,” I realized that I was ok the way I was, and everyone else needed to know what “I” needed to be happy. It was a time of selfishness…it was all about me. In the midst of this process, I learned to accept and love myself unconditionally…both my strengths and weaknesses.
When I learned to accept and love myself, somehow I was transformed.
Without conscious effort, I began to accept both the strengths and weaknesses of my family, my friends, and the people who were placed in my daily life. I learned to focus on the good, and overlook the bad in others. Miraculously, my happiness level rose exponentially.
It seems to me that Jesus was there every step of the way, leading me to continue learning one more thing after another that would ultimately bring me closer to the power of Love…to Him.
I started out as feeling inferior and empty, and then realized that I am a child of God, with unique gifts. The error that I made (and the same one I am seeing over and over in others) was to think that my happiness is the most important thing in this life. That I needed to focus on myself, and in that way, would find happiness.
That was a deception.
True joy and happiness is realized through reaching out and helping other people. It is opening our hearts to the power of the Holy Spirit, and asking Him to fill us with himself. It is looking for ways to be a blessing to others, and to be humble in our dealings with those who hurt us or cause us to be uncomfortable. When filled with the Spirit of God, it becomes easier to see through hurtful words and actions, and see the hurting heart that lies beneath.
In knowing your true worth…that you are loved totally and unconditionally by God…it is easier to stand your ground in a more loving way. Without anger, jealousy, or bitterness.
I now know that I “found myself” when I learned that my true identity lies in the Lord. His love surrounds me and fills my heart. This love begs to be shared!
It’s not all about me. It is all about Him… that lives within me. And my purpose is where He leads me.
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. John 1:12-13
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:7
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31
August 8, 2017 at 10:09 am
Beautifully written and so true. How many stay-at-home moms have felt the same way. God bless you.
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August 8, 2017 at 3:53 pm
May God continue to bless you on your love journey. You are on my heart today, and am praying for you.
Love, Bernadette
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August 8, 2017 at 1:59 pm
Bernadette, I truly needed this today. I am searching for myself right now. And my journey seems to similar to what you write. Thank you!
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August 8, 2017 at 4:00 pm
Taryn, Thank you for sharing…we are all interconnected and learn and grow from all of our experiences. I know how difficult this journey is…once you come to the place of loving and totally accepting yourself…the good and bad…then your love just spills over to all in need and things start to fall in place. I am praying for you, and I am here if you would like to email or call.
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August 8, 2017 at 3:11 pm
You never cease to amaze me. We go around the mountain so many times don’t we, before we discover the truth of it all is God and how He sees us???? Great post and God Bless, SR
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August 8, 2017 at 4:03 pm
Yes, SR you are so right…we do go round and round, don’t we? Thank you for your kind words and support. You are a rock in my life…I learn much from your posts…you are so open to share and your love for Jesus is evident.
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August 8, 2017 at 4:05 pm
I meant to ask you, did I ever start showing up in your email and back at ya…dear friend. I have always felt bless having you in my life. God Bless, SR
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August 8, 2017 at 4:06 pm
Yes because I refollowed you. I never unfollowed you but not sure why I stopped receiving the emails. We are back on track!
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August 8, 2017 at 4:09 pm
SR, I just tried to click on to your site from this post and it says “the author deleted this site.”
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August 8, 2017 at 4:10 pm
Nope, did not delete. In fact just posted a post. Is it the livingtherealityofjesus as I did delete that site. If you are still following that one, you might want to delete it out. God Bless, SR
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August 8, 2017 at 4:14 pm
Yes, it was the wrong site. And I read your new post and loved it:-)
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August 8, 2017 at 4:35 pm
Yep, it was kind of hard looking at that “pa-nanner” for four years every single day of my life! 🙂 Love ya, SR
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August 8, 2017 at 11:52 pm
Beautifully written, and I so related to your journey. ❤
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August 14, 2017 at 4:33 pm
Thank you for reading and for your comment! The Lord reaches our hearts, layer by layer:-) What a journey!
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August 11, 2017 at 6:40 am
Great post! It is something that I am working on all the time. I get so selfish in what I do, even when doing good things. I do so many things, just to look better. I have to keep reminding myself that it is not about me, it is about God and others. Thanks for sharing.
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August 14, 2017 at 4:32 pm
Tom, thank you for your kind, and honest words. We all struggle with this, I am sure. May God continue to bless you!
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August 15, 2017 at 9:15 am
I still struggle with this very thing. Thank you.
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August 20, 2017 at 1:14 am
Thank you for your honesty. I think it is a struggle for most of us.
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September 28, 2017 at 2:46 am
I read this before, but today I just came to your site to check if there was something new. I needed this message the most. I am a working mom, but everything I do is not making me happy. neither successful and appreciated at home nor work. You said it so right about wanting to be perfect but it never happens. I am struggling today and this journey seems tough… I am expecting my third baby in January 2018. Please keep me in your prayers…
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September 28, 2017 at 12:33 pm
Vinodhini…Love to you and your family, and congratulations on your precious baby that is growing inside you! God is working through each and every joy and struggle in your life. Continue to align yourself with Him, and He will lead you toward His purpose. You will never be perfect, (and things will never be “easy”) however, the Lord will work through you to love those in your daily life. He works miracles out of the rags we offer Him. All is for His glory.
I will keep you in my prayers. (email if you would like to talk further!)
Love and hugs,
Bernadette
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September 30, 2017 at 5:59 am
Thank you dear Aunty for your reply. Will surely contact you on your email.
Love
Vinodhini
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January 12, 2018 at 8:40 pm
Amazing Post!!
“When I found my “power,” I realized that I was ok the way I was, and everyone else needed to know what “I” needed to be happy. It was a time of selfishness…it was all about me. In the midst of this process, I learned to accept and love myself unconditionally…both my strengths and weaknesses.”
“When I learned to accept and love myself, somehow I was transformed.”
Blmaluso– I love reading your blogs!! Thank you so kindly for sharing!! 🙂
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January 12, 2018 at 8:48 pm
Thank you so much for reading and commenting! I look forward to reading more of your posts and getting to know you:-)
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January 12, 2018 at 9:35 pm
You’re more than welcome!!
Thank you kindly!!
I look forward to getting to know you as well!!
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