My Journey’s My Own

A Devotional

When we look at the women around us, it’s inevitable that we compare ourselves to them. It’s like it’s a part of our DNA to do so. Compare, evaluate, judge, and ultimately consider whether we are up to par. But who sets that standard?

Honestly, I hope none of us are looking to the Bible to find out what the standard is. Shocked? Well, you shouldn’t be if you have ever even cracked the Bible open! Women in the Bible are not viewed in a good light. They’re never regarded higher than any man, and yet knowing that was the mentality at the time, it’s no longer the mentality now.

Then, there are the other things. No braiding hair, no makeup, no marking the skin (tattoos) no jewelry, don’t even look at another man the wrong way or you’ll get stoned to death in the street. Yeah, no thanks. All it took was one accusation from someone of the other gender and your entire life was changed and/or over.

Of course, there are those women who are revered in the Bible; The Virgin Mary, Ruth, Esther, Rachel, Ezra, and Mary Magdalene. But that’s not very many when you think of how many women there should have been. But I digress. The point is, that these should not be the standards in which we hold ourselves. Let’s think for a minute of how we want our children, or better yet, our grandchildren to remember us.

What stories do you want them to tell? That’s the question you need to ask yourself. This is what should drive you. I remember my one grandmother who wasn’t around very long (due to my age) but she drank a lot but was still sweet to me. But I don’t have even one birthday card from her. I remember no Christmas’ with her. None of those kinds of memories, but then there’s my other Grandma. She lived further away. But she’s the one who never missed my birthday, always had me stay with her in the summer, took me places, bought me clothes, taught me to cook, ride horses, play in the mud, plant flowers and go for walks.

They both had good qualities, but I definitely have better memories of one than the other. So, what do you want to leave behind to the people you love? What’s your legacy? What stories will be told? Will they be ones that make others cringe or ones that bring happiness and wonderful memories. Will you be the person your children and grandchildren want to emulate or are they trying their best NOT to be you?

Going forward into this new year, it’s a good time to reflect on how we are presenting ourselves to those closest to us. How we conduct ourselves. While still being true to who we are. Continue to be our authentic selves and show the humans we made, and those they made, what kind of stuff these strong, beautiful women are made of!

Questions/Actions

Reflect: Look inward and think about who you are and how you come across when you’re with your family.

Ask: Ask your kids questions about how they feel about you? Vague ones like “Have I ever embarrassed you? or Is there anything you wish I didn’t do?”

Verses

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15