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Friday, July 18, 2008

I Am Enough.

As a wife, mom, stepmom, daughter, friend, whatever else you want to call me, there are times I feel as though I am being pulled in every which direction. Times, more than I'd like to admit, where I am overwhelmed by all of life's demands and times where I just wonder am I doing things ok.

Sometimes I wonder and worry and get myself all worked up thinking. Wondering, do I do enough of the right things with H?

Am I loving enough? Kind enough? Patient enough?

Do I say yes enough to T and M's requests? Sometimes I feel like all I say is no.

Do I listen enough to M's wild stories? Do I answer T's questions about life and the world and why the sky is blue enough?

Is my house clean enough? Do we play outside enough? Are we saving enough? Does my husband feel loved enough? Do our children feel loved each and every day?

Are we eating healthy enough? Am I getting together with good friends enough? Making time for coffee and phone dates?

It's enough to drive one crazy and like J likes to tell me, in my case, it's not a far drive.

Jan Thomas came up with an idea and she ran with it. She began Loved Unconditionally and created simple, beautiful bracelets with the message; "I am enough" and "Loved Unconditionally".
Simple, yet seemingly complex statements. She is affirming women all over the country (the world?) that you are worthy. You are special. You are you.

When Jan and I were first in contact a few months ago and I learned of her message and bracelets, it was exactly what I needed to hear and it resonated with me.

Sometimes, I don't feel like I am enough or that I'm doing enough or that anyone is getting enough from me.

But I am and I do and they are.

Probably not always in the worlds eyes but most certainly in God's eyes.

Today, in the world that we live in, we compare often and try to live up to each other's make believe standards instead of realizing the depth of simple words.

Not only am I loved unconditionally by my creator, I am also enough.

I am enough of a person. Enough of a wife, a mother, a stepmom, a daughter, a sister, a friend. And so are you.

Even when you feel like one more question, one more request, one more day is going to put you over the edge. You are enough.

Jan graciously sent me an I am enough bracelet for myself and one to giveaway here. I've been wearing my bracelet the last few weeks and I am learning to get rid of the false and empty expectations of myself. Aren't we our own worst critics?

Like I said, Jan sent me two bracelets. So I am so excited to be able to give one of them away.

Leave a comment here (yes, you....come out of the closet!!) between today and next Friday and I will randomly choose one that will receive the bracelet. Share in what ways and when do you feel loved unconditionally? Or what ways do you feel as though you are enough?

And please remember that today, regardless of the day you're having, you are enough and you're most certainly loved unconditionally. And so am I.

11 Comments:

Blogger Melissa said...

Amen, sister. This was such a good message for me to be reminded of today. For years I struggled with being thin enough, perfect enough, getting good enough grades. I'm grateful for the confidence I've found in large part thanks to my faith and friends and family - but somehow there's a whole other set of "enoughs" to battle now that I'm in my twenties. Thanks for reminding me that Jesus is ENOUGH to cover all those worries and that he has made me "enough" to do what he has called me to! Glory!

July 18, 2008 at 1:20 PM  
Blogger Jon, Sara, Tyler, and Sophie said...

S, what a wonderful post, and it came on a much needed day! In the midst of trying to prepare my classroom for students, spend quality time with my children, enjoy time connecting with my husband, not lose touch with friends, and try to assist my family with my grandpa, I often wonder if I am doing enough. Do I love enough? Am I patient enough? Do I help enough? Thanks for reminding that I do my best, and that is enough!!

July 18, 2008 at 1:32 PM  
Blogger Jed and Anne said...

Thanks for this post, Samara, I totally can understand exactly what you are talking about here. Although it is the summer, and life around my neck of the woods seems to have a more relaxed hold on me than usual, once the school year starts up again, I completely begin to feel torn in so many ways. I get so tired sometimes, and I just want to retreat while at the same time I have responsibilities to my husband, family, friends, colleagues, church, and students. It is good to have the reminder that I can't beat myself up about all of these relationships. I need to remember that I am enough. Thanks, Samara!

July 19, 2008 at 9:10 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have you in my feed reader and rarely ever comment but I do read all your posts.
I want to thank you for sharing this with us. I cried when I read it and then followed the links to the beautiful bracelets and the story behind them.
I struggle with the am I enough question all the time? am I doing enough? for the right reasons?
I did need to read this today.. thanks again!

July 19, 2008 at 7:52 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

very interesting feed back who would of known .

lovve you all
dadio

July 20, 2008 at 4:27 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Samara -
Boy do I understand what you mean. So many times I ask myself exactly the same thing - am I enough for all the people that need me to be? Is Z & J learning enough under my care? Do they know every day how much I love them?? Do my family and friends feel how important they are to me and am I the person they hope me to be? I guess all we can do is try our best and remember that even if we aren't always enough, we are loved. And at the end of the day, that's all that really matters to me. Thanks for the reminder - I can guarantee we all need it!

July 22, 2008 at 8:54 AM  
Blogger darcie said...

Wow - what a great day to stumble upon your post. I think all women ask themselves that every day - Am I enough? I know I do. There are times I beat myself up about it. Too many times. As a mom of two young kids - both under age 3 (and not quite 15 months apart) It is hard to maintain a balance. I want to be perfectly perfect in every way - but at the end of the day - it IS enough. So the dishes may not be done, the carpet may still need to be vacuumed - but at the end of the day - If I have loved my family, if we are safe and warm and happy - then I am enough.

July 22, 2008 at 12:37 PM  
Blogger Ann-Marie said...

thank you for this post, s. it really hit the spot. i thought the summer would slow down for me, and that i would have more time for all the people i want to see and things i want to accomplish. but it's no different from any other time of year, and when i get all worked up and am sure my husband thinks i'm crazy and is wondering if he did the right thing marrying me, he cradles me in his arms and tells me that none of the other stuff matters. he married me because he loves me. and that is enough.

July 22, 2008 at 12:42 PM  
Blogger Kim said...

How about, I am lost, I am broken, but I am enough. Thanks for reminding me of my heavenly love today.

July 22, 2008 at 5:37 PM  
Blogger Megasue said...

I often wonder if the day will ever come when I truly believe that I am enough. It seems to be quite a daunting task, as the comparison game always leads me to find someone who's stronger, faster, prettier, or wiser than I. This post makes me think about all the conversations we've had about rejecting what the "world" might perceive about us, because really, what does the "world" know anyways? Thanks for being the kind of friend who makes me feel like I am enough. And thanks for sharing your thoughts on this topic, something we can all relate to...

July 24, 2008 at 3:56 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am so glad I stopped by today. That was a great post! With the various things pulling me in life, and getting ready to start my last term of law school all the while taking care of my family, I wonder far too often whether I'm doing or giving enough. And whether what I'm doing and giving is enough. Thank you for the post!

And now I'm going to check out the links!!

July 29, 2008 at 12:41 PM  

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