5 Important Questions to Ask Yourself About Life

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Life is full of questions. Sometimes they are important questions we need to answer so that we can make the most out of the time we’ve been given.

5 Important Questions to Ask Yourself About Life | Life as Mom

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I find that now that I’m getting a foothold on my 40s, I am starting to understand myself just a little bit more. I finally realize my life’s “mission”. I’m finally able to articulate how I feel about things.

And maybe now that one child is getting close to leaving the nest, I realize that it’s going to be okay.

It seems like fifteen years ago, there were lots of things crowding my vision: desires for more stuff and more money, pressures from church and family, expectations that I put on myself. I would often lie in bed at night, berating myself for whatever mistakes I had made during the day. I worried that I wasn’t pleasing to God or others. I worried a lot.

I still make mistakes. Sometimes the same ones I’ve been making for years. And my conscience still pricks when there’s unresolved conflict. Don’t get me wrong. I have not “arrived”. I still worry.

I think the difference is maybe something to do with age and maturity, but I think it’s also making different things my priorities. We will never be rich in the world’s eyes — or at least by American standards. I’ve been hurt enough by church, family, and friends to realize that God’s opinion matters far more than theirs.

And I think and hope and pray that I’m learning that God is better than I ever really thought He was.

He’s not a tame lion — No, but he is good.

God is better than we think He is. More righteous and more holy. More loving and more patient. More powerful and more just.

He loves us better than we love our own children. Scripture tells me this, and so does my heart.

When I keep these things in mind, I know thatΒ it’s okay for me toΒ be me, to take a deep breath, to work hard, play hard, and rest well.

5 Important Questions to Ask Yourself About Life | Life as Mom

The other day I was thinking about how to take stock of my life. How do we measure where we are in life? How do we grow and mature? How do we continue in this life as Mom and stay on the right path?

5 Important Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Life

I came up with five questions that I think can help usΒ think through where weΒ are and where we want to go as women, wives, mothers, friends, and daughters.

1. AmΒ IΒ at peace with my life’s season?

Prerna addressed this topic quite eloquently,Β finding peace in your season of life can change your perspective and your whole enjoyment of your life.

This process involves getting a reality check. Be real with yourself. Where are you in life? Busy with babies? Responsible for a homeschool? Surrounded by noisy people when you prefer a quiet work environment?

Figure out what is acceptable in your current circumstances and roll with it a bit. You’ll be happier and less stressed if you relax a little about where you are.

This is NOT to say you should continue in unhealthy or irresponsible behaviors or tolerate it in others. But, consider where can you just be okay with the here and now? Make peace with that. And by all means, ditch the unhealthy and unwise elements of life.

5 Important Questions to Ask Yourself About Life | Life as Mom

2. What do I want the future to look like?

Maybe there are some things that just aren’t quite right. They’re tolerable, but you certainly don’t want to stay in this mode. Choose it or change it, is my motto these days. If you can’t get on board with what life is dishing out, then make a plan to change it.

Don’t complain, but create a vision of what you want and plan to make that happen. It might not be overnight, but making some plans for tomorrow may help you be content with today.

Be sure to include your husband in these big dreams. It’s always more fun when both your hearts are in the journey.

3. How can I love people more?

It’s so easy to get caught up in what I want that I forget to consider what others might want as well. Most of us live in community: spouses, children, friends, neighbors, co-workers, family.

How can you love these people more? They were chosen by God to be in your life. How can you love them?

Boys standing in a field with mountain sin the background.

4. How can IΒ give myself more grace?

Chances are you’re a little too hard on yourself sometimes. Oh, yeah, you messed up. Totally. I don’t know what you did, but I’m sure you made a mistake. I did, too.

We can move on from that. Too much navel gazing doesn’t help anyone. Get perspective, ask forgiveness, be hopeful that you can change.Β You can do those things. You and your family will be so much richer as a result of it.

5. How can IΒ slow down and enjoy what’s on my plate?

You know I’m a big francophile. I have no idea why, but ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been fascinated by French culture. One of the things that I love about the French is the way they enjoy their meals. Twenty minutes just doesn’t cut it. They linger at the table, talk, drink wine, and eat. Mealtime is an experience.

Life should be lived that way, too. Savored. Not rushed. Not hurried.

Enjoy this course before it grows cold or the next course comes and you’ve missed out on this one. Slow down and enjoy the moments.

I do not have all the answers. Heck, I don’t even know all the questions. But, these are things that God keeps bringing to my mind. I’d love to hear what you think about them, how you’d answer them, and how God is working in you as a mother this week.

Where are YOU at in life?

Originally published July 27, 2014. Updated July 4, 2017.

5 Important Questions to Ask Yourself About Life | Life as Mom

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20 Comments

  1. Jessica,

    I stumbled across your blog as a young Mom in 2008 … read you off and on since then. I just wanted to say thanks for being real. Love this post! I have grown right along side you and as I approach the 40s – I feel like the best is yet to come. Woo hoo!

    Tara
    Ohio

  2. Jessica, this post has revived me again and again and again. A little over a year ago, I decided I NEEEEEEDED to get off the crazy train and enjoy a slower pace of life. I quit my 55+ hours a week job where my child was growing up in the backseat as I drove other people’s children around, got a new job that if I work more than 30 hours the boss chases me out the door, remembered that I not only liked to cook but was actually good at it, and I have laughed and lived and loved with my family in a way I’ve not had the opportunity to do in too many years. I’ve said NO to more opportunities in the last year that I have in a decade, I’ve learned about boundaries, and I enjoyed the last few moment s of my BIGS’ childhoods.
    Hubby and I are in the midst of a season of unemployment for him and while it’s not pleasant, I have been less stressed and more in-the-moment than I have been in the past. I keep saying, β€œThere are worse things than financial ruin.” LOL! It doesn’t do me any good to worry myself sick, push my marriage to the brink of extinction due to my stress level or snap at my children all the time. I’m praying and working and doing my part to save money…and leaving the rest of Jesus and Hercules.
    I get things wrong constantly, but I am learning as I go to offer myself the same grace that I extend to others.

    Blah blah blah, all of that to say Thanks for walking down this path of life with us and reminding us of what’s important.
    God bless you, my friend!
    ~ Kristy~

    1. Yay! So glad that you are keeping on! I’m honored to have played a part, however small, in your growth. I think God created you to shine, and you do that so well!

  3. I just had an experience yesterday that helped me identify the season I’m in. My husband had a traumatic event in January of 2017 and was in the hospital and rehab until March 22nd. Looking back at the calendar I counted at least 95 medical appointments after he came home. That was in addition to the kids’ activities and a bunch of lunch and dinner dates trying to maintain some normalcy. I understand better now why I am still worn out, and I’m giving myself permission to rest more.

    1. Good for you! It’s so hard to recover from something like that. Whether it’s your body or you’re a caregiver, there’s lots of healing to be done. Now’s the time for you all to rest!

  4. I really enjoyed this post. Thank you! I’m in a different season now: retired, grandmothering. That’s the good stuff. Aging brings other issues, though, so reflecting is a good thing!

  5. Another great read! I must say your posts about your season of Life have really helped me. I no longer feel the guilt when I can’t make the same commitments as others I know. I’ve actually surprised my husband by saying, “you know, we’re just in a different season of Life compared to so and so.”

    1. Yay! I’m so glad to hear it.

      This season has been really hard in some ways as I have had to prune bad habits, but it’s been really fruitful. Just wish I had learned this sooner!

  6. Great post Jessica! I love how real you are. None of us have it all together, we do our best I am a Christian too😊 I’m learning to lean on him and trust him more too.

  7. I’ve been thinking I need to do some reflecting, but I’ve been struggling to get a grip on how to begin. This was helpful. Thank you for the revision/repost!

    1. I will be updating the calendar pack this week. I’ve got lots of things backing up on me right now unfortunately. Hoping for Monday. πŸ˜‰

  8. What a great post! As a mom who homeschooled our only daughter, my life has dramatically changed. She is now attending a community college and I myself have made the decision to go back to college to get a degree. Realizing empty nest is quickly approaching has challenged me to look in many directions in my life. Starting college at age 48 was never on my “earlier” to do list!