When You Feel Like You're Not Doing Enough

I read the email too late.  After I parked the van at my son's preschool, I quickly scrolled my messages before walking him in.  My inbox held a request for more parents to volunteer at the music fundraiser before school.  Immediately, I felt that all too familiar drop in my spirit.  I hadn't been able to help out with that yet.

The lie I too often believe whispered, "You are not a good mom.  You don't help at the school enough.  What are the other moms going to think of you? You're failing."

Thankfully, with some practice, I've learned to shut down those negative thoughts when they arise (It seems like they never leave me alone). Because the truth is, I am not failing.

I just fed three kids breakfast, helped pick out all of their outfits, made sure teeth were brushed, hair was fixed, shoes were tied, and backpacks were zipped. Then, I buckled us in the car with enough time to pray for our days and walk them to the door, complete with hugs and goodbyes.  I did all of this before I read the email asking for more parental involvement.

I am doing enough, and I have to care less what other moms think of me.  I just have to. The measure of my success is the well-being of my family, not the tally marks for my community involvement.

So if you're with me in that place today, where you're still home with a little guy, and taking him anywhere is a slight risk to your sanity, please know that you are doing just fine.  You are taking care of your family.  You do not need to run yourself ragged proving your worth to anyone else in this world. 

And for yourself, remember that you are doing HUGE things!  It doesn't matter who sees them.