I love holidays. I always knew I was going to be “that mom.” Growing up, my siblings and I always decorated the entire house for each other’s birthdays. We had special traditions, and I knew I wanted to create special traditions for my family someday.

Last year, I saw the sweetest idea to put hearts on your child’s door every day in February until Valentine’s Day. You write one thing you love about them, and every morning they can wake up and see what their next heart says. I loved the idea, and I did it last year! I even put them on Tyler’s bathroom mirror every day. It was so fun and special.

Fast forward to this year. Honestly, life has been a lot lately. We have been busy. I have been busy with my kids, homeschool, and pretty much just trying to keep my head above water. I love my life, but it has seemed overwhelming lately.

Yesterday, I realized that it never even crossed my mind to put hearts on the door. I didn’t get any supplies to decorate for the kids. Everything crept up so fast. Tyler got them a few things, but I just… didn’t. I saw a cute video on Instagram of a set-up a mom did for her little ones. It was adorable. I’ve seen people taking trips with their husbands that they planned. It looks perfect.

I started to feel down on myself, and wishing I had done more. Why didn’t I do more for everyone? Why didn’t I go over the top for Valentine’s Day?

Then I started to realize that I can’t compare where I’m at to anyone else. My life is not identical to anyone else’s. I have to do my best with what I have, and where I’m at. Maybe I didn’t have an extravagant set up for my kids or plan a surprise trip for my husband… but sometimes it’s just not in the cards to do that.

What’s important is showing up for your family. What’s important is that they know they’re loved. What’s important is that you’re leaning on the Lord to strengthen you, and giving them your best. Sometimes, your best isn’t picture perfect, but you can rest knowing that you’ve done what you can. Sometimes we can go over the top, but it’s okay on the times when you don’t. God knows our hearts. If you’re living for Him, His love will be shining through us. It’s not about all the things we can do, or all the things we can buy… it’s about the love we shed when we are walking in HIS love.

So if you’re feeling a little less than, or if you’re feeling a little down. DON’T. Stop thinking about what you didn’t do, and focus on the love you can give.

I’m so thankful for a God who loves me, in spite of my imperfections. In spite of my short comings. I’m so thankful for a God whose love abides in me. I’m so thankful for love that I can share, just because I’m His. I’m thankful that God is love.

”Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.“
‭‭1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭KJV‬‬