It’s OK to be Where You Are

It is absolutely exhausting to exist in a constant state of “I’m not where I should be.” So many things in life can make us feel this way. Take your pick: I’m not the mother, father, provider, nurturer, teacher, husband, wife, student, or employee that I should be. I’m not making the grades, the money, performing as well, eating as well, working out as much, or saving as much as I should be. Is there a “should be” that haunts your daily thoughts?

It’s so easy to mistakenly determine our value by what we do or don’t do. Especially in our achievement-based, capitalistic culture, it’s almost normal to believe that you are only worth the number on your paycheck, the letters on your transcript, or how successful your children are. I am here to tell you, these are lies! Your worth is ONLY determined by your maker. God says that you are priceless and worth dying for. No success or failure, achievement or mistake can change that. He will never love you any more or less than He already does.

This is a lesson that I have had to learn the hard way. I have long believed that I have to earn both the love of those around me and the love of God. I have believed that if I am not perfect, I will not be loved. This turned into what, from the outside, looked like a great work ethic, but on the inside, was actually a desperate fear of rejection, which led to a very extreme, unhealthy sense of perfectionism. I have existed for most of my life in this place of believing that where I am is just not good enough. That I am inadequate, and even that I am unlovable. Although I finally have an understanding that my value lies in who God says that I am and nothing else, REGARDLESS of what I do, it is still a challenge to live out of that truth every day. Bad habits die hard.

So, for you and for me, I just want to reiterate: it’s ok to be where you are! You don’t have to “get yourself together” before asking that person out, going back to church, or applying for that perfect job. You don’t have to wait until you “get everything in order” before pursuing your lifelong dream (…or starting your blog). Just take the NEXT step, and watch what happens. I promise you, you will never be perfect and things will never be in perfect order. And that’s ok. You are a human being (not a human doing). You’re not supposed to be perfect. Mistakes are a part of the package. Don’t let your fear of imperfection or failure paralyze you. Just take the next step, and then the next one, and then the next one. You’ll be shocked at how much ground you begin to cover. Make the choice to move forward. Dive in! And enjoy the journey! 🙂