Shushing that Voice

¹⁰ A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

¹² She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

¹³ She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.

¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.

¹⁵ She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.

¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

²² She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.

²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

²⁹ "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."

³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

³¹ Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

(Taken from Proverbs 31)

That is a LOT to try to live up to! I've had a VERY productive four days in a row. God has blessed me with the stamina to tackle project after project after project. ..... But - I still hear that voice inside saying "You're not good enough. You aren't earning your keep as a stay-at-home mom. Your children and husband aren't having their needs met. Stepping up to the plate and accomplishing the massive to do list is a stupid accomplishment. It's not enough. You're. Not. Enough."

Sixteen months ago I was in heart failure and couldn't stand up. Sixteen months ago a machine even had to breathe for me. God has given me the energy this past week to do massive amounts of physical work while caring for my two active youngsters at the same time. I refuse to listen to the negative thoughts that are in my mind any longer.

This post isn't really for you. It's for me. It's a reminder that tonight I've told Satan to shut up. I'm taking "captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5b). I am not enough - but HE is. And that's all that counts.