The last few weeks, during this most blessed Advent season, I have reflected tremendously upon the gift that our Mother Mary has given to us in her son, Jesus Christ. The selflessness she exhibited and her self-sacrifice for the universal good of man is striking. She, a single, dependent woman, said yes to our Lord despite the fact that she had no means of caring for herself or an infant. She embraced who God called her to be in that moment and trusted wholly in Him and His goodness.
And God provided. “When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.” Matthew 1:24
Now, I would say I am an overall contented woman. I am happy with where I am and where my life is. I have a good relationship with Our Lord. But, I am not where I’d like to be in the depth of my security in Him. I still long for what and where others are. I see their gifts and strengths and desire what God has chosen for them. I would love to reach a place where I am confident enough in who I am that things of this world do not impact my smaller decisions or influence or weigh on my heart, like Mary as she spoke to the angel with an outpouring of trust.
A few weeks ago, I had plans to go to dinner with a dear friend. This friend and I go way back. However, every time I get together with her I find myself contemplating and scrutinizing my attire. I go over every aspect in my mind. This girlfriend has a great sense of style and always seems to be up on the latest trends. Her outfits are always very put together, much like a model from a magazine, sleek and stylish, but with added personal touches. So, it is not shocking that I strive to match her level of fashion. Or is it?
Am I not rooted enough in the person God created me to be that I look to others for what I ‘should’ be? I find myself comparing and desiring more often than I’d like. Before our dinner together, I even went as far as going to purchase a new trendy top to allow myself to feel good about my attire and myself for my time with my friend.
So, how do we do this you ask? How do we move past worldly influences to being women rooted solely in Our King? We inspect the why and embrace who. Inspect why we compare ourselves to certain someones and embrace the beautiful woman God created each of us to be.
Call To Act: You can start with a list of your unique qualities and gifts. And then after a little reflective time, move to a paragraph or two about who you compare yourself to most often and why. Ask yourself, “what are my insecurities there?” Make some time to reflect on it and let it settle. Pray on it, ask the Lord to reveal your insecurities to you, and then beseech Him to heal your woundedness or help you confront what you must in order to grow.
Allow Him, the giver if all things good, to uncover what is necessary for you to grow nearer to Him and shed your fears and insecurities. Give your heart to Him sister, just as Mary did that fateful day so many years ago. And then, trust He will protect your heart and make it new. Let down your guard and be the beautiful unique woman Your Maker created you to be. Embrace the distinctiveness of you and allow yourself to live the uniqueness out in every moment and every choice. This is who He created you to be. None other.
“Let us not be confused by the talents and missions of other saints. Let us be the kind of saints we were created to be.” Mother Angelica
Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us. Ask the Lord to give each of us the courage to accept and embrace our individuality and unique call. Beg Him to help us to recognize our gifts and talents and draw ever nearer to Him as we trek the journey of our lives. Ask Him above all for trust as we accept His call for us. Mary, Mother of Christ, Queen of all saints, pray for us. We ask this through Jesus Christ Our Lord and Redeemer. Amen.
