No…that isn’t me in that picture, but it perfectly describes my life at this moment.
I am a married woman with three kids who homeschools and manages the home—a homemaker. I am also a woman who conducts low-key business operations on the side—a businesswoman. While I wear these hats, the one I don the most is homemaker. Fifteen years ago, you wouldn’t have been able to convince me that I’d be where I am today: “stuck” at home cooking and teaching kids, when I used to prefer to “hustle” and contribute more financially. My success is not what I envisioned.
But I say these words like “stuck” and “hustle,” so how do I view this as a success? Well, God. He made it a success.
What is the definition of “success”? The Oxford dictionary states that it is the “accomplishment of an aim or purpose.” There are many things that I could consider a success based on this definition, but what about you? What is YOUR definition of success? Is it graduating from high school and getting a high-paying job? Buying a house with the white picket fence? Or getting married and starting that picture-perfect family you’ve always wanted?
Now, some of you may not find being a homemaker a success. Not everyone wants to be home teaching children, cooking, and cleaning all day long. Admittedly, I don’t want to sometimes, but my situation (challenging as it is) is a success. I’ve made a few fumbles years ago, but by God’s grace, He has placed me exactly where I need to be. My family and I have been placed in the best possible position.
If you know my family and me, looking from the outside, you’d probably think otherwise. You’d have your opinions and make your suggestions on what we should be doing instead. We may not have what most have, but we’ve been blessed by His grace. Through His grace, I’ve been able to find peace and forge a deeper relationship with the One who saved me. Success doesn’t always look like what the world dictates.
Is your definition of success worldly?
The world doesn’t tell you to follow Jesus. The world tells you to follow your heart. It doesn’t teach you the truth. The world teaches lies. The world would rather you live “your truth” than follow THE truth. We chase fleeting things instead of eternal life. Worldly success is temporary, but salvation is forever.
I am successful because I walk in the will of the Father (Eph. 5:15). I am successful because I believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am successful because the Holy Spirit lives within me (1 Cor. 6:19). This doesn’t mean I have it all together. It doesn’t mean life doesn’t have its struggles. It does mean my salvation is secure (Eph. 1:13–14). I will forever be grateful that He hasn’t forsaken me.
This success is not what I’d envisioned. I desired worldly wisdom and believed it offered what was best. I set my mind and heart on the things of this world, grasping empty pursuits. What is life but a vapor (Jm. 4:14)? What is life when you realize death isn’t really the end? Set your mind on what is above (Col. 3:2) and seek holy wisdom instead.
When you set your mind on the things of God, you’ll understand what I’m proclaiming. When you realize the world has nothing to offer you, success looks and feels different. Your success is not what you really think it means. Accept and walk in His truth, and realize it will not be what you envisioned either.
theOlivetbee 