I Don’t Have it All Together

The other day somebody told me they wished they, “had it all together,” like I do.

It was humbling. I didn’t know what to say. A cynical laugh was the first thing that came out of my mouth. I don’t have it all together. If it looks like I have it all together, it’s because I’m really good at hiding the band aids that are holding it together.

I screw up every day.

I yell at my kids when they don’t deserve it. I forget to show my husband the appreciation he deserves for everything he does for our family. I envy others’ good fortune, success and wealth. I go out of my way to avoid doing anything that makes me uncomfortable, sometimes to the detriment of others and myself. I am incredibly selfish. I fail at things I shouldn’t, because I’m too afraid of failing to try. I am a serial procrastinator. I am lazy, doing just enough — but never more.

Really what holds me together is a God that knows all my flaws, forgives them and loves me anyway. He helps me dig my way out of the messes that I make. He gives me the strength to overcome my weaknesses.

Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. None of us can get it all together without Him. We are all valuable, because God said we were all of great worth when he sacrificed his only son for us on the cross.

No, I don’t have it together, but He does. God can help you get it together too.

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)