I had the privilege of speaking to a group of young moms last Friday morning at their M-Life gathering- a place where 20-30 somethings come together weekly for encouragement, yummy breakfasts and a nice morning out. I told them it seemed like only yesterday, that I attended a similar group at my own church and looking back, how I wish I had done things a little differently when I was sitting in those chairs in my mid 30's.
I shared with them a bit of my personal testimony, my business accomplishments and some of the journey that I've shared with you all here (about our move to the country, my mid-life crisis, and downsizing not only our home, but our expectations of the "American Dream".
I shared with them how if I could do it all over again, I wouldn't have been so caught up in the 'pretty' things, the 'pretty people" and the perfectionism.
I told them that if Pinterest would've been an app on my phone in the early 2000's, I'm not sure I would've survived to tell my tale. :)
And then I realized after I got home that morning, that I'm not so sure I AM surviving it...the materialism, the greed, the always wanting more, the keeping up with the Jones' (or around here, the "Vander Veender-Jones)'."
I still struggle. More than 2 decades older than some of these girls, and I'm not so sure all that much wiser.
I got a little choked up (okay, a lot choked up) when I told them that while God has done amazing things in my heart and head these past 10 years and redeemed so many wasted choices, one thing that can't be brought back or exchanged or even redeemed sometimes....are the wasted moments. Moments that turn into years of preoccupation with things that just don't matter for eternity! (That reality sure hits home as I spend this last year under the same roof with my oldest daughter before she leaves for the rest of her life!).
Why does it take us/me so long to realize that we can't take ANY of this with us when we die?
Why are we/me living like we can?
Why don't my daily thoughts, activities, choices, and purchases line up with what my heart wants?
I know I've wrestled with this many times on this blog. Thanks for wrestling through these things with me. After I finished sharing Friday morning, I spoke privately with several of you girls and received several more emails...you told me that I wasn't alone and that this is something you struggled with too. You asked me for advice about how not to waste ONE MORE MINUTE on things that don't matter....
and I said the right words, I typed the right responses, I even prayed the right prayers for you. Now, I just need to do the right thing....and live the right way-NOT the perfect way, where I'm always striving but never satisfied, or always running but never energized, but the right way, the way the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE did it. With margin/room in my life. Where people are valued over possessions, where to really find my life, I have to lose it.
I saw myself in every one of you young ladies that morning-we are in this together. Let's hold each other accountable to less social media-more socializing. Less Pinterest-more interest in each other's stories. Less materialism and more memory making.
What a great time of year to reflect on our blessings and all the people who are worthy of our time. The BSC and I (Bible Study Chix) are starting a new book by Ann Voskamp this week called The Greatest Gift.-Unwrapping the full love story of Christmas.
I'm looking forward to slowing the pace and unwrapping that story with friends and family this year.
On that note, I'll try not to feel guilty about posting pics of the items we have in the booth if you don't feel guilty about shopping for unique accessories made with love. :) Let's just balance our posting and purchasing with time spent with REAL PEOPLE.
M-Life Girls....or any other Changing Room Champs-you are beautiful, and loved and are ENOUGH! Thanks for allowing me to share my heart with you.
Shoot me an email if you need encouragement, accountability, coffee or a hug. :)
I'm here if you need me.
-Christy
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