My worth is not found in what I do

If you’re like me, odds are that you’ve heard many sermons/lessons on how our self-worth and identity are tied to being children of God. It’s not associated with our work, family, relationships, or anything else.

The sermons/lessons are right.

BUT – and it’s a big but – I’m going to venture out and say that there is a lot of value in the things we do, the things we manage, and the people we keep in our circle. If there weren’t, God wouldn’t have created them. And He wouldn’t have placed such emphasis on work, stewardship, and community.

The problem isn’t that these things matter. The problem is that I have this need for other people to agree that they matter.

Why am I bringing this up?

I’ve been meeting some new people recently. Without fail, one of the first questions that comes up is: what do you do?

Personally, that’s a difficult question for me to answer. I primarily mom, but when the kids are at school, I work on my business, write, and study. My days are full.

But there are days where I can’t help but feel incomplete because I don’t have a ‘proper job’. I’m aware that being a mom is a job. So is my business. So is writing. So is studying. It doesn’t make me feel any more complete though.

However, I’m struck by a thought today that when someone asks me what I do, perhaps the uncomfortable feeling isn’t really about not having a ‘proper job’. Perhaps it’s because I’m still concerned about what others might think or perceive.

Maybe I want my answer to sound impressive enough. Legitimate enough. I want people to think and recognize my work as being worthwhile.

Perhaps that is where some of my self-worth work actually needs to happen.

Not in convincing myself that what I do matters, but learning to not be concerned about having to prove that it matters.

I want to be able to say, without embarrassment, “I mom. I run a business. I write. I study.” Not because those things prove that I am somebody. But because they are things that God has given me to steward in this particular season.

It doesn’t need to impress anyone. It doesn’t need to make sense to everyone.

It matters to me and God. That’s all that counts.

Easier said than done, but I’m one step closer today than I was yesterday! 😊