I started making a list of all the things I want to do. Places to go. Things to see. Dreams and goals and all the things. It felt like I would never stop writing. I needed something deeper. Something that wasn’t about tasks, but about the person behind the task. So, I changed the list.
I made a list of all the things I want to be.
Some of the things may seem silly. Others will make you wonder why I ever wrote that for people to read. One thing is for sure: they are honest.
The 8 Things I Want to Be
1. A fantastic wife who cooks, cleans, looks gorgeous and initiates lots of sex.
2. The mom who is patient and fun, laughs a lot, gives great hugs and snuggles, reads all the time and makes her kids feel loved. Always.
3. A Christian who knows the God and the Word, reads it every day, prays deep and listens to God while loving others well.
4. A woman who is fit and healthy, well dressed with great hair. Wears lipstick and heels on a Tuesday.
5. A friend who has time for her friends, feels loved by each one and lives life together.
6. A writer with actual print books that make a difference, a dedicated tribe, and great headshots.
7. The kind of sister who is close with her siblings, sees them all the time, and has tons of inside jokes.
8. A daughter who honors her parents, loves them well, and makes time for them often.
Easy, right?
Am I Crazy? Probably.
Maybe you’re laughing and nodding in agreement. Maybe you think I’m crazy. Maybe you’re making your own list.
The truth is, we all have lists. Unspoken expectations of who we think we should be. And somehow we think to ourselves, unless we can be all of these things, we’ve failed.
We set out chasing versions of who we think we should be instead of who God calls us to be. Share on XAnd it is just too much.
Too much worrying, thinking, not quite cutting it. Too much pressure, comparison, berating ourselves. The list can be exhausting.
Nothing on that list is bad. Some of it may be different for each of us, but nothing I wrote is a negative, bad thing that I’m aspiring to. But we can’t do it all. We were never called to, and we will never be, all the things on our lists.
Did You Make a List?
We are running like hamsters on a wheel, constantly looking around us to make sure we’re keeping up.
We can set out chasing who we think we want to be or we can chase God and let Him show us who we are. We cannot do both. Share on XWhat is on your list? Write it down. Really think about it and be honest.
Now ask yourself this question: Will God love me more if I become all the things on my list?
Come close, friend, so you can hear the answer. No.
Maybe we need to stop looking at who we think we want to be, and instead focus on who God is.
Smiling at your list, Rebecca. I would put many of those things on my list too (and so would my husband for me! ha). And this: “Maybe we need to stop looking at who we think we want to be, and instead focus on who God is.” Yes!
That shift in perspective takes so much pressure of. Suddenly, it’s not about me anymore; it’s all about HIM!
It is THE LIST of all lists and I love each and every entry!
Always love when you’re here, my kindred spirit friend!
Yes, I’d have most of this on my list (minus the high heels. 🙂 ) I’m so glad we don’t have to maintain any lists for God to love us. There’s nothing we could list that could make Him love us. He just does.
Isn’t it amazing? We make it so complicated, but He keeps it so simple!
Oh, how I love this–beginning to end! First, because I could have written that list. In some ways, I have–especially the ones pertaining to relationships. I tie myself in knots every time the word “relationship” pops up on a goal-setting sheet. Second, because that verse has meant so much to me. We spent some years in a pretty harsh church and I’ve recently started to remember some of those verses (like this one) that shed important light on God’s love. Thanks for this. It was a great way to start my morning!
Isn’t it amazing how we can know a verse, but then hear (or read) it again and be encouraged in a new way?! So glad to be part of your morning!
Rebecca,
You’re Back!! I’ve missed you in the blogosphere! I did have to chuckle through some of the things on your “I want to be…” list. On this most recent headshot, the photographer must have taken 100 photographs to get a few really good ones lol. I’ve had so many things I’ve wanted to be and the truth of the matter that the pursuit of which have often left me exhausted and disappointed in myself. The one thing I really want to be (even more than being a “Good Christian”) is to be in a loving relationship with God. After all, that’s what He created me for…
Blessings and stay safe,
Bev xx
So nice to see you too! And Yes, that is the ultimate goal, isn’t it?! To love well and be well loved. Sending big blessings your way, friend!
😁 great list! It’s a fine line between having aspirational goals and becoming enslaved by our goals, isn’t it? It helps me to remember that I God loves me just the way I am AND with his help I can always improve. Not because I HAVE to, but because I want to honor him.
Yes, God is always willing to help us with so much grace!
‘Heels on a Tuesday.’
;-}
Made my day!
🙂
Oh I can relate!
It’s always nice to realize we aren’t the only one, isn’t it?
Yes, with only so many hours in the day, while one may want to be so many things, we need to prioritize.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
Yes! And realize that not all of them are truly what is best for us.