Oh No She Didn't
Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Philippians 3:8 (NLT)
Yep, it happened. Last night, with less than a week to go before kindergarten starts, my five-year-old pistol of a princess decided she would take the scissors to a strand of her hair. Lord help me.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
I know, it’s funny. It really is. But that moment when I realized my child had cut a chunk of hair less than an inch from her scalp, part of me collapsed. What just happened? You have GOT to be kidding me. No bow, headband or pixie cut can make up for this tragedy.
I began chanting to myself, “Pull it together sister.” So, I did – kind of.
A decade ago, my husband would have been calling 911 (is there an emergency therapist on duty?!) and knocking on doors in the neighborhood searching for a Valium for his deranged wife. But not today. Because, my perspective is altered. I’m a work in progress.
Yes, I’m a little neurotic, a tad bit OCD, maybe slightly “wound-up,” and I definitely take “type A” to the next level from time to time. But, I’m transforming. And my perspective is shifting – every day.
The old Priscilla would have OBSESSED over this little one’s hair (or lack thereof). It would have eaten me alive, because I value people-pleasing, and living up to a certain picture of perfect for my little girl’s appearance. And, what about school pictures? What will she look like? How can I make her as perfect as possible to paint the picture that my family is flawless and pretend we have it all together? Yep, I would have been overwhelmed with the shame of that haircut.
I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Philippians 3:7-8 (NLT)
Yes, yes, I know - a five-year-old's hair cutting episode isn't quite what Paul was referring to here, but stay with me.
So many times as women, we lose the truth in our perspective. We drown in worry, regret, pretending, shame, and meaningless obsessions that don’t even matter. It’s an irrational cycle that leaves us empty.
Perspective is a wonderful thing when it’s on point. I can’t say that I have completely overcome the urge to give in to the people-pleasing, the pretending, or the pursuit of painting a picture of perfection in my life. But, I can say that God is transforming me. He is renewing my mind and my spirit with his eternal perspective and changing the way I think.
What once was important to me, holds less value today. My energy, time and resources are spent more on things that really matter. Do I still have a cow when my daughter chops off her hair? You better believe it. But, the Savior I serve, and the purpose He has called me to are more important than the interruptions in my crazy life.
What about you? What are you obsessing about today? Are we putting our thoughts and energy on things that are truly valuable, or are we drowning in obsessing over the meaningless? What are you focused on today?
Because, truth is – what we once thought was valuable is worthless when compared to what Christ has done for us. Value is in knowing Him.
READ: Philippians 3:7-11
PRAY: Ask God to show you what you’re devoting your thoughts, energy and resources to that is overshadowing the focus of knowing and growing in Him.
GROW: Commit to an eternal perspective – even in the small things.
