FC Reflections: Sometimes I Forget I'm Human

Do you ever see me dressed all frumpy and think I should try harder? Do you ever hear me get short with my kids and think I could have done better? Do you ever see me missing from social engagements, show up late for meetings, sneak out early from gatherings, or just sit away from the crowd and think that I must be in over my head? Don't worry, I think the same things all the time. I forget I'm human too.
Moms are incredible, but not like the world makes us out to be. We aren't some kind of movie-star heroes. I mean, I don't even own a lightsaber (okay, not anymore). The older I get (not to mention the more children who come through my home) the more I am aware of my own weaknesses in the mom department. Never deceive yourselves about a child's ability to show you in a nanosecond where your selfishness and sin hides. We teach them many things and in the process, they teach us. In this battle for heart and soul, for square footage and remote, I forget that I am only human. I often forget that though my expectations run high and self-set standards even higher, these are simply unrealistic. The load I place upon myself is too heavy and eventually, my weary knees give out.
It's days like yesterday, during Christmas break, where it seemed everyone had a bad day all at once. Seriously, 9 people had a bad day all at once and it was too cold to go outside. We were stuck together for better or worse. Nothing this momma did seemed to work. I pulled out every trick in the book and nothing worked. It was Armageddon, kidlet style.  I was in tears of failure by 5pm. I forgot I was human. Have you ever had those days? Have you ever forgotten that though you were created to be incredible, you are also human with finite strength?
Maybe you don't watch many hero type films, but I'm a big fan of Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. If you have ever read a hero style book or watched a movie they all follow the same pattern. The hero is called to action and then gets some kind of supernatural help. Then, he finds friends who help him on this quest where he must face trials of many kids. However, he usually gains rewards and wisdom to prove himself as the "hero". Have you ever noticed our lives kind of follow the same pattern? We are called to action in our Christian walk in whatever it is we do by which God has already promised that He is our strength, our comfort, our generous giver of wisdom. I know I need not look far to find friends that God has brought into my life for this journey and even when I cannot find words, HE is there. Through all of these trials, He grants me more grace and wisdom as I seek Him and, paradoxically, I find peace and humility rather than a sense of elevated status like the movies. I also find that I'm not the hero of the story and I have no desire to be. I have no desire for a medal or trophy because I know the eternal reward that awaits is far greater than anything that could be given me on earth. So, like the prodigal son, I begin chasing the dream of being a hero only to find myself at the King's court pledging myself to His service instead.
So, yeah, some days I forget I'm human. I beat myself to a pulp. I'm pretty sure we moms do that a lot. Honestly, we need those days as reminders that we aren't superheroes and we don't do this alone. Not even the heroes in the movies do it alone. So while it's nice for a moment to motivate ourselves with images of Wonder Woman and think we can conquer the world or something, she's no more of a hero than us. We would do better to set realistic expectations, logoff, and open our Bibles. God has really been impressing upon me James 3:17 as we approach the new year. As I look at setting good and reasonable expectations, I love this verse for mine. Have a blessed New Year full of grace, wisdom, and real joy.