Wanted: The Real You
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Do you know what your family needs from you? Not perfection. Not Pinterest. They need what God’s given them: the real you.
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That girl? Dressed to coordinate with Legoland colors and in her happy place, surrounded by Lego Friends sets? She’s teaching me a lot.
Sure, as baby number 6 with more chronic health issues than all the others combined, I’ve seen the inside of more doctor’s offices than I care to discuss. But, I’ve also seen more joie de vivre in her than in most people I’ve ever met.
She knows what she likes. She’s not afraid to ask for it. And she’s not afraid to walk with a sassy spring in her step, particularly with matching shoes and handbag.
I’m learning so much from her about what it is to be real.
I’ve been a mom for almost 19 years, married for coming on 22. That means I’m either old or mature, or with luck, both. It also means that I have made more mistakes than I can count.
Recently, I shared with you my biggest mistake as a mom. For years I worried more about what others thought of me than what the important people (God, my husband, and kids) thought of me. I often let those worries dictate my actions instead of being true to me. And to them.
What I realize now as I approach 44 is that being real is way more fun. It’s a lot more relaxing. And it’s a heck of a lot less work!
The culture around us can pull us this way and that, prompting us to forget who we are and what matters most to us. And you know what? The culture around us is pretty whacked. This presidential election is enough to show me that!
Maybe it’s because I’m getting comfortable in my forties that I’m finally able to take a step back and go, “Whew. That’s not for me, but here’s who I am and what I want.”
Whether you are 14, 24, 44, or 64, I encourage you to be you. The real you.
Wanted: The Real You
Are you floundering to make decisions? Wondering what you should do this week? Confused as to how to manage your home and love your family?
Here’s what your family needs from you this week:
Your family needs you to be the best and most real you.
They don’t need Donna Reed. They don’t need perfection. They don’t even need what the neighbors have. They need what God has already given them: you. The real you.
Not sure what that looks like? Ask yourself these questions:
- What’s important to you?
- What do you like?
- What do you do that really blesses your family?
- What do they do for you that blesses you?
- What’s your vision for a happy, peaceful home?
- What do you need to live a happy, peaceful life?
- What are your best qualities? Where are you strong?
- Where are you weak? How can you grow in that area?
Sit down with your journal and spend some time reflecting on who you are.
Who you are, the real you, is pretty wonderful. You have been wondrously made by God and matched up with your particular family to do great work together. Don’t forget that as the week begins.
Great word! I have also found that my forties have brought a certain perspective on life that I lacked in my younger years. I used to do a lot of things I hated or really didn’t want to do, based on what I thought other people’s expectations were. I found that I was creating more stress and misery for myself trying to please those other people, and in the end, I don’t think those other people actually cared as much as I worried they did anyway. I’ve also found the need to distance myself from negative people, and instead surround myself with those who encourage me and push me to dream big and pursue what I believe to be the path for me. Love your questions at the end! I’m going to sit down and think more about them when Star Wars Legos isn’t playing in the background 😉
My only regret is that I didn’t figure this out sooner!