Measuring Up: By Whose Standards?

Every morning, I roll out of bed reluctantly. My eyes blur with sleep and confusion, the sound of Jayci's squeals dance in my ears. I fumble around to find her bottle, add water, shake, and plop down into the soft brown rocker, worn and molded perfectly to our form, to feed it to her. After laying her back down for another hour or so of (blessed!) sleep, I head back to my room for quiet time and a few minutes to get "ready" for the day. [This process used to include many more steps, such as makeup, shower, hair etc. Now I basically brush my teeth, apply deodorant, and go on my merry (albeit messy and unkempt) way.]

But one thing I never forget to grab before I leave: my measuring stick. Because without it, I simply couldn't make it through the day. How could I measure if her house is cleaner than mine (we all know it is). If our neighbors have prettier landscaping. If she's a better, more patient mom than me (probably). If her daughter behaves more perfectly. If her hair is smoother/curlier/bouncier/straighter. If her clothes are cuter or her body more toned (absolutely). If her husband is more romantic. If her quiet times are more diligent . . .

This morning was no different than the last. I hopped staggered out of bed and hurried to get ready in time for my morning woman's Bible study (we're doing Beth Moore's Esther study). And y'all, this particular morning? Beth might or might not have grabbed my measuring stick and hit me flat over the head with it.

Because she reminded me of a crucial truth, one which I often forget: our measurements are taken on the cross. Not at the grocery store comparing my ice cream with her organic fruits and veggies. Not in the gym or the church nursery. Not in my living room watching the rail-thin actresses on TV. Not even downtown as moms offer their seven month olds grape soda and chewing gum.

At the cross. Period. End of story.

I am trying hard this week to focus on remembering and measuring myself by the cross. Join me will you? Because I think that if all of us as woman stopped comparing ourselves to one another and started measuring ourselves by the cross of Christ, we would be FREED UP to be the woman God intended us to be all along!