Accepted, Just As I Am

I'm glad I have eternal life because I know God loves and accepts me just the way I am.

I was raised in a Christian home and made a decision to believe in God at a very young age. Although God has always been in my life I still struggle with normal things, but He is always there to give me peace & purpose in my life. Let me share just one example with you. I remember about a year after having our 3rd child I was so overwhelmed! Our kids brought me so much joy, but at the same time I felt like I was drowning. I was always exhausted and I could never stay on top of all of my responsibilities as a mom and wife. Our house was usually a wreck and even though I did laundry almost daily, piles of clothes kept growing higher and higher. I felt defeated. This was a feeling that had never had a hold on me growing up. Because I couldn't stay on top of things, have a clean house, have wonderful meals waiting when my husband got home...just those every day things, I felt like I could never be enough. Not enough for my kids, not enough for my husband, and not enough for God. I was a struggling perfectionist. It was through being in a particular bible study at that time in my life and studying how much God loves each one of us that God reached out and specifically spoke to my heart and told me, "Laurel, you're enough. Just as you are, you're enough. Stop striving for perfection, you won't achieve it. I'm not interested in a clean house, or you getting your "to do list" done. I'm interested in your heart. You're mine and you're enough."

God tells us in the Bible to "Be still and know that he is God." And he also tells us that "in our weaknesses He is strong." Knowing I am enough for God, just as I am, and knowing I will be in Heaven forever with Him not because of what I have done, but because of His love for me and what HE has done, brings me peace for each and every day.