tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950890220825054017.post2159562771226845181..comments2023-06-19T09:09:19.032-05:00Comments on The Smith Family Journey: Why I skipped the church picnic....Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06708414960946762766noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950890220825054017.post-31900152090342924272012-06-04T09:37:28.892-05:002012-06-04T09:37:28.892-05:00Kate just totally encompassed EVERYTHING that I wa...Kate just totally encompassed EVERYTHING that I wanted to say! Good words, friend.<br /><br />However, I'm going to say it anyway. I have a major need to impress. I hate to be late. Small talk drives me crazy because I'm not good at it AT ALL. I feel like I could've written this post myself. <br /><br />If there's anything I've come to learn about myself it is the fact that I need people. I don't do well when I hole up in my house and hide out (which I have this insane tendency to do). I've come to learn that my soul needs the fellowship of other women. Other mamas. So, I hold my head up high and say "WHO CARES?!". Who cares that my house is messy - that just means that people live here. Who cares that all I have time to do is pick up some chips before we get together? At least I made it here. Who cares that my 18-month-old throws his body on the ground and screams in a tantrum? I'm a mom and this is what we do. These are the roads that we walk - and they're WAY easier to walk when you allow someone to walk them with you.<br /><br />Praying that you give yourself some grace and instead make the choice to live your life and not watch it from the sidelines (I've been guilty of that one)!<br /><br />Love you, friend!Kamihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16280523378311477782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950890220825054017.post-30892722142777811142012-06-03T20:19:45.379-05:002012-06-03T20:19:45.379-05:00There is this woman in our church who is a few yea...There is this woman in our church who is a few years younger than me, four kids, her hair is always perfect, same eith her makeup. Clothes are always stylish and never wrinkled. She speaks softly and with wisdom. <br /><br />Then there's me. I think I always look like I just came outbid a windstorm, I seldom wear makeup because I just don't know what I'm doing in that area. I talk too much and when I'm nervous I ramble. Sometimes my clothes are wrinkly or have a bit of dog fur on my pant leg. <br /><br />One day she invited me on a picnic and I ran out of time to make something spectacular to impress her, so I tossed in a few bags of chips and cookies with our sandwiches and headed out the door. Sure enough, she had fresh fruit cut up, sling with various healthy snacks. I couldn't stop myself. " How do you do it??" She laughed and pointed at the fruit. "That? I brought that because I figured you'd have this fabulous lunch for your kids and I didn't want to look bad. This fruit is left over from my house group last night. I really wanted to bring cookies and chips!"<br /><br />We were never the same after that - we were better. We even went to WOF together last fall. <br /><br />You never know who is looking at you and wishing they had it together like you do. None of us do! And its exhausting trying to be perfect! <br /><br />There is no one else like you. You have gifts and qualities in you that the Lotd longs for you to share. So you aren't like so and so. If we were meant to all be the same life would be pretty boring.<br /><br />So what if my hair is wild and my clothes wrinkly. I'm Kate, chosen child of God. And so are you. Don't let the devil steal your joy or your light. <br /><br />Love to you.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15602563223761877580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950890220825054017.post-24665688365363474912012-06-03T20:17:28.537-05:002012-06-03T20:17:28.537-05:00I also used to be scared of community. What helped...I also used to be scared of community. What helped me is this: people at the picnic (or other social event) have the same fears and play the same comparison game I do. Your'e not alone. What do I do now? I pray every time I begin to feel nervous about socializing. I also ask the Holy Spirit to show me when I compare myself to others and to help me have the self-control to turn away from that comparison. Also, where is your identity? It's not in sin, in comparison to others, or in anything else. Your identity is in Christ. You are fearfully and wonderfully made! Declare that over your life!Dara Evensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08682778609026990564noreply@blogger.com