The Standard

It's so impossible to live up to the standards we think others are living up to sometimes. For example, if I'm going to try and pattern my life after Martha Stewart, I should remember she's a single, wealthy woman with nothing better to do than make a wreath out of eggshells. She's not a mom of three small children, living on a budget, and boasting a whole five minutes of her OWN time in the day. If I'm going to pattern my life after Doris Day, I should remember she was more character than person. She had an army of hair and make-up people at her disposal and nothing better to do than pose in front of the camera with her vacuum cleaner. She didn't have to clean out that vacuum's filter, listen to complaints about her cooking, or see more of her lipstick on her daughter's baby doll than on herself. If I want to pattern my life after my mom, I need to remember that I'm younger right now than when she gave birth to me. She had already gained so much wisdom, experience, and know-how as to make mothering look easy...and fun. She DID have three small children and live on a budget, but I never saw it. I should remember that the Mama I know already had it figured out by the time I came along and it didn't come to her overnight. I still have a lot to learn before reaching her status. If I want to pattern my life after anyone, then it needs to be someone I want my kids to pattern their lives after as well. After all, if they get the notion to pattern their lives after me then I'd better be looking in the right direction my own self. You know where this is leading. Jesus. If I want to have life of peace, joy, love, warmth, and a sense of belonging, I'll look to Jesus. I can never be as perfect as He is, and somehow, that enhances the beauty of Him being my pattern. He, and only He, is worthy.