In just a few short days, many of us will take part in the Thanksgiving tradition of offering gratitude. We focus, rightly so, on all the many ways other things, and other people, add value to our lives. This year, I want you to add one more person to that list of blessings. You.
I know, I know, it’s super uncomfortable to think about ourselves in this way but it’s important. In fact, it’s really important. Sometimes we go so far in our efforts toward humility that we forget about God’s gifts in us, thus opening ourselves up to all sorts of insecurities. Jesus was humble but He also knew exactly who He was and what He had to offer. He “made himself nothing” (Phil. 2:7) but was also completely empowered. It is not arrogant to recognize how you have been uniquely designed. Frankly, you need to know what you do well and how you add value to the lives of others if you are going to live out God’s design in you!
And ladies, I am going to challenge you specifically. Women tend to downplay their worth and we suffer for it when it causes us to question our value or our abilities. More directly, Moms, we are way too hard on ourselves. You are a blessing to your children and I want you to identify specifically how you add value to their lives. We spend so much time thinking about what we didn’t do right, questioning if we are making the right decisions and how we can do things better that we have little time to notice what we are doing well. We shame ourselves and we compare ourselves, not only to others but to the vision of what we think we are supposed to be. We make ourselves less than we are, less than God created us to be.
And so, this Thanksgiving when you begin to count your blessings, remember to include yourself among them. You are a gift to others. Own it so you can live it. God has a lot of fun making an impact through you.
I am a blessing as a Mom because…
I am a blessing as a friend because…
I am a blessing as a spouse because…
I am a blessing as a teacher because…
I am a blessing as a coach because…
I am a blessing as a coworker because…
I am a blessing as a daughter because…
I am a blessing as a son because…
I am a blessing as a Dad because…
…I am a blessing as me because…
Please be grateful for God’s design in you this Thanksgiving and enjoy what a blessing you are to others.
Anne Rulo 