The Comparison Game

Have you ever looked at some part of your life; family, job, house, car, friends, body, etc. and then compared it to someone else's? I know I have a tendency to do this and today I was thinking about why. I don't have an honest answer as to why I but I don't believe I am the only one. I think many women suffer from the comparison game and for some reason, it seems to be more common among women than men.

I don't know why women seem to fall in to this trap but I believe it has more to do with outward appearances than anything else.  Everyone wants to appear as if their life is all put together. That the pieces of their life puzzle all fit beautifully together while their own are seen as scattered around, bent or missing. I know what it is like to put on a front to "appear" put together to the outside world even if my world seems to be falling apart. When we live by these lies we are failing to acknowledge all that makes us who we are; all the little imperfections that make us unique and  special. 

So how can women steer clear of this trap?  I don't know. I am still trying to figure it out myself. I do know that God has created each one of us with a unique plan and purpose. We were designed by His hand and He makes no mistakes. In Psalm 139:13 it says "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb".  To find peace in that verse means to accept all the parts of who you are. For me, that list includes my crazy hair, pale skin, wild emotions and stubborn tendencies.

I believe women battling with comparisons, need to hide these words in their heart and mind so the next time they are tempted to compare themselves against another, they can remember that their life, no matter how imperfect it may appear to them, was created by our Father.  So really who are to we argue?

End of 2010...Beginning of 2011

I can't believe how quickly the end of the year went. Before I could think about it family was at our home, vacation had started, Christmas eve and morning were celebrated, we traveled to Ohio to visit the rest of the family and then we were ringing in a new year with friends. Now I sit here in my living room while the hubbs watches football thinking back at the last year and the year to come.

Over the last year, I have completed my master's degree, become more involved with the leadership of my school and district, and started to feel like West Branch was our home. We have begun making friends, getting more involved with our church and making our house feel like a home.

This next year, will continue to be full of change. Kevin and I are looking forward to starting a family, furthering our careers, and continuing to build relationships with others in our community.   I know that 2011 will not be a perfect year because perfection is unattainable. However,  my goal is that throughout the next year, I will put God first, devote myself to a daily conversation with my Savior and fully trust in HIS plan for my life. If I can do this, all the other details will just fall in to place. And if they don't, it's okay because God's grace will carry me through.