Another month of 2022 has flown by and I find myself beginning to look positively at the year ahead, more so than I have done for the past two years. I love using S4S as an opportunity to look back at the best (and sometimes the hardest) of the month and mark those moments.
Something Loved
Spring! The first few warm days and I lose myself in dreams of sunny walks, and blooming gardens; longer days and warm breezes. While today is cold where I am and the week ahead is looking even colder, I’m still revealing in the sun and warmth when I can get it.
Something Gleaned
I listened to a podcast episode this month with Kendra Adachi and Kate Bowler. They made a bunch of good points but the one that stuck with me most was that we don’t need to apply the world’s definition of excellence to our faith journey. We don’t have to be pros at this Christian life to still see the transforming power of Christ in our lives.
I’m still not sure what this means to me entirely, but whenever I get frustrated that I’m not as strong, or good or mature as I feel like I should be, I remember that I am a work in progress and just pray again for the transforming power of the Holy Spirit to be at work in my life.
It sounds easy to do, but it definitely isn’t.
Something Braved
My boss began her five-six week medical leave this month. I knew it was coming, and I thought I was prepared. The two weeks were hard as I tried to get through all the tasks handed off to me and try desperately not to drop any. I’ve been learning a lot about myself and how my need to please others and be constantly overachieving is impossible to maintain.
I’ve had days where I was getting slammed on all sides and there were pretty urgent and difficult conversations to be had in multiple areas of my life. I’ve been living one day at a time which has been good but also hard because some things need advance thought and planning or at least anticipation. I haven’t been able to enjoy the anticipation that comes with looking forward to something I enjoy, more just a sigh of relief when something finishes and I can move on to the next thing.
My husband keeps reminding me I just need to keep the ship afloat for the next two months. The overachiever in me hates this. But I’m slowly coming beginning to accept it.
Something Achieved
I’ll be honest, I don’t feel like I have much to write here. I’m barely read, written inconsistently, editing almost nothing at all, and generally just tried to keep my head above water.
By my usual impossible standards, I haven’t achieved much. But we made it. Tomorrow I will share a revamped dance project during a major season of transition at our church. Next week I will take my kids to a play. Next month is Easter. I just keep praying for the strength for what is on my shoulders today and believing what I need will be there when I get to the next one.
It sounds like you have a lot on your plate. It’s definitely hard not being able to achieve the level of excellence you desire. I appreciate your Something Gleaned. Kate Bowler is quite relatable.
Bethany, thank you for sharing about the podcast, I like the thoughts on excellence, and that we don’t need to be “pros” at living the Christian life. In fact if we were, we wouldn’t need Christ! I wouldn’t say you didn’t achieve anything this month, for your Something Braved flows into Something Achieved. Not only did you brave the start of your boss’s medical leave, you also achieved keeping things flowing at work and at home. Here’s to a better month in April!
Bethany, girl… I feel you. February was my month of feeling like I didn’t accomplish anything, but remember accomplishments don’t need to be big! You took on more tasks at work!! You wrote this post! Looking forward to hearing how April is for you!
Perfectionism and people pleasing are the death of joy. I learned that the hard way and no longer have trouble saying no. Priscilla Shirer once preached/talked on how each person has a plate but my plate might not be as big as yours or vise versa, we have to learn what we can handle and what we can’t, letting some things go. Try not to be so hard on yourself. My daughter always says “It’s okay, I’m thriving” when she is super stressed, basically she is still putting one foot in front of the other. That is brave and is something achieved.