You Look Marvelous

Today... I'm gonna' do it. I'm going to watch a movie in the middle of the afternoon. I never do this. Not really sure why I don't. I guess my guilty conscience won't let me. In my mind, I liken it to eating bon bons all day while Paul is at work or something crazy like that.

I will be watching Facing the Giants. I borrowed it from a friend over two months ago and still haven't watched it. I'm feeling a bit guilty for hanging on to it so long. She probably wants it back.

While I would love to say that I will be curled up under a blanket with a bowl of popcorn, that is not exactly what the scene will be in my living room. I can 't just sit on the couch and do nothing. I have at least three loads of laundry to fold.

Why is it that I can't just ignore the things that need to be done? Maybe some of you are better at really "relaxing" for an afternoon but I really have a hard time doing that! My value or worth seems rather wrapped up in being able to show how much I have gotten done each day.

There are days that when Paul gets home, I bombard him as I rattle off the million things I've gotten done so that I look like Superwoman. I really build it up so I look like an over-achiever. And I usually don't ask him what his day consisted of. 

And here's the funny part. When I finish my pharisaical monologue about how great I am, I usually get annoyed with Paul for not praising me as much as I want him to. Makes you want to be married to me, eh?

So here's the bottom line: I know that my worth and value is in the wrong place if I'm striving to do everything right and perfect and BE superwoman. That is not who God has called me to be. I know that. But still, sometimes I selfishly want an artificial, heaping portion of praise even if I don't really deserve it.

So, to all of you that need to hear it today: THANK YOU! Thanks for everything you are doing to take care of your families and your friends. Every item of folded laundry is so appreciated. It was really loving when you got up and held your sick child last night. Every pepper you dice for supper is the most delicious one anyone has ever eaten. The floors have never looked so sparkly and clean. And by the way, you look beautiful today! Have you lost weight? And that sweater really brings out your eyes!

Maybe, just maybe, you needed to hear that today. I'm off to fold the laundry...and watch that movie!