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February 27, 2014

How to win by giving up

How to win by giving up

I turned my head back to see her blonde hair wisp as the wind blew into the car.  She stepped out onto the curb and her hot pink summer shoes caught my eye. Today I am THAT mom. The one who sent their child to school in flip flops during cold weather.

I wonder how I missed this just a few minutes before when we were at home. Was I making sure the dog didn’t eat the kid’s breakfast? Was I brushing hair, changing a diaper, packing a lunch box? But I shrug it off. Because I know a secret about this mom life thing. You can’t do it all.

You just can’t do it all.

You can scour the internet for tips, pin a million pins, read a thousand books, but YOU can’t do it all.

Oh, you can try. And I have. I know you have too.

When I try so hard that independence bursts forth from me and I have this feeling that I am superwoman- hear me roar! But inside things are crumbling. This American dream we have been sold is a lie.

Your freedom is not gained by self-reliance, but utter dependence.

Not on a government of any sort. More like the King of Kings.

Mary knew this.

Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.  She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with [a]all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.”  But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Luke 10:38-42 NASB

As I read it again all I hear is “but Martha was distracted” and the tears begin to fall. Sure, we know we should be Mary in this Martha world. But am I there today? Do I love you like that today, Lord? Am I so distracted that I can’t hear?

This is not about flip-flops, or forgotten lunch boxes. It’s so much bigger. In the deep down parts of life, are we missing out?

Either you will be distracted by this world or mesmerized by the beauty of Jesus.

This is the brilliance of giving up and winning anyways: when God is in you, He can do immeasurable more through you than you could ever do on your own.

” For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves,it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10 NASB

In giving up on this world and its alluring standards, we can really win anyways.

Our prize, our reward – companionship with love himself- Jesus Christ.

I’m trading in my cape and wanna-be super powers for even just a minute at his feet. Won’t you?

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Stephanie Cole

 

 

This post was linked up at the following sites:

Serving Joyfully

Graced Simplicity

Missional Women

Womanhood With a Purpose

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Comments

  1. Cherry says

    February 28, 2014 at 1:50 pm

    Oh, this is so good! Such a good reminder – one I need to hold in front of me every single day. Thanks for sharing these words of encouragement and reminder … (linking up after you at Faith-Filled Friday, and thankful I came to read your words here.)

    Reply
    • Stephanie Cole says

      February 28, 2014 at 1:59 pm

      Thanks for your comment Cherry. I checked out your blog – some beautiful words written there!

      Reply
  2. Debra says

    March 1, 2014 at 3:05 pm

    Yes! That’s it. For me, Psalm 91 describes perfectly this sweet surrender, and with it the remembrance of His covering, protection, provision, for me and my little ones, and big ones :)every day, especially on the days when I couldn’t do it all. As my Sarah says, in prov. 18:10 ‘the name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous RUN into it and are SAFE. I can’t cover all the bases but as I seek Him, He can, and He carries me along on eagle’s wings as he PROMISES and I get a peak into the true heart of My Lord, and my love for Him grows, and then it glows and my little light shines, and my heart sings…

    Reply
    • Stephanie Cole says

      March 4, 2014 at 10:37 am

      Sweet surrender indeed, Debra!

      Reply
  3. Amy @ {Life to the Full} says

    March 1, 2014 at 7:27 pm

    I’m giving up as of now, too! Amazing post… I have such Martha-tendencies, but I truly desire to just sit at His feet and be mesmerized by Jesus.

    Thank you for this wonderful reminder!

    Reply
    • Stephanie Cole says

      March 4, 2014 at 10:38 am

      Thanks Amy! Glad you are joining me in “giving up”!

      Reply

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