Every day, we hear subliminal messages about how we fall
short. Everyone has a list of all the things we must do to succeed in life. If
we don’t do all those things, we must be failing, right??? The internet is full
of articles written by “experts” who claim to have more ways for you to strive
to be perfect…
10 Things You Must Do with Your Child
Today (Tomorrow Is Too Late!)
5 Things Healthy Couples Must Do (Those
Who Only Do 4 Are Doomed for Misery)
54 Books Your Child Must Read (Or You
Will Ruin Them Forever)
93 Foods That Are Killing You (Stop
Eating Them or You Will Die Next Week)
The “experts” are full of new information to save you from
yourself. With each new article we read, we feel more like failures.
Today, I was reading through a study guide for Vicki
Courtney’s book, Move On. Vicki was
talking about the pressure our culture places on us to appear perfect and
flawless. We must have a perfectly decorated and organized home…just ask
Pinterest. We must have beautiful children who pose for perfect pictures on
dream vacations…just ask Facebook. In the middle of maintaining a perfect home
and holding down the perfect job to pay for our perfect vacations, our church
also expects us to volunteer for this or play for that. Oh…and the non-profits
also want a chunk of our time and money. Wait!! What about the kids?? I have to
teach them how to read by age three and make sure they have all the latest
craft supplies so I can make them the coolest doll accessories.
As I was wading through the study questions, I felt the pressure
to finish all of this week’s assignment. After all, I couldn’t have people
thinking I was a slacker. Don’t I have to appear like I have it “all-together”?
Then I sensed God questioning me. “Carol, what is more important? Blowing
through all the questions so that I can gain the approval of man? Or taking
time to find out what I want those questions to reveal?”
Enough. It’s time to rethink all of this pressure.
The answer was actually handed to me yesterday. One daughter
was upset because someone called her a name. My mother-in-law intervened with a
story from Max Lucado about little wooden people who lived in a village near
their Creator. These little Wemmicks had a bad habit of placing stickers on
each other. If a Wemmick was talented or attractive, the other wooden people
placed star stickers on them. If a Wemmick was awkward, clumsy, or
unattractive, the others gave them grey dots to wear. One sad little man was
covered with grey dots…until he met a Wemmick with no dots at all. He
discovered that the more time the stickerless Wemmick spent with the Creator,
the less she cared about what the others thought about her. They tried to give
her stars and dots, but the stickers just fell off. The sad little Wemmick
followed her advice and soon he, too, was only concerned with the Creator’s
opinion. He was no longer sad, but peaceful and contented.
Just like the imaginary Wemmicks, we must also spend time
with our Creator to free ourselves from the chains of popular expectations.
The next time I am stressing to accomplish something, I will
stop and ask: “Am I doing this for the approval of people or God?”
“So
don’t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like the
pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father
already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day
if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.” ---Matthew 6:31-33 (NLT)
-Carol
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