By Nancy Virden (c)2024

She looks over again at her table. Varied colors make for a bright and cheery setting, the centerpiece which had taken weeks to prepare stands tall and centered. Check again: do the appetizers look good? Brushing off once more a dust-free chair, she feels nervous, hoping everyone will enjoy her decorations.

People come with cheerful greetings and children. Parents chat while their children run freely in the house and eat all the appetizers. They upturn the decor and wildly throw pillows at each other. Pulling out one craft and game after another, messes are made everywhere.

She looks forlornly and angrily at the parents. Why are they not stopping this? She feels exhausted and lays down for a few minutes. Once in her room alone, she considers all she has done to make this party perfect: shopping, cooking, drawing, measuring, and remeasuring her space, even laying out a child’s tablecloth to color at the children’s table. Planning, creating, nerves, stress, and decisions – all for naught. Frustrated and increasingly upset, she pauses to ask God what He thinks.

She realizes she has put little thought into her relationships and interactions with her guests. Tired from all the planning, she is not talkative and her hosting skills ceased at the door. There is only one explanation for this – her desire for control and approval. Her perfectionism is focusing on all the superficial matters.

She leaves her room, less angry, and willing to love on her visitors. Only one issue was truly important – are the people having a good time? Giving up her idea of the perfect party, she freely conversed and noticed happy laughter even among the children.

-COMMENTS WELCOME

Today’s Helpful Word

Colossians 3:12-17

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

If you are feeling suicidal, or concerned about someone who is, in the U.S. call 988, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. For a list of international suicide hotlines, go here.

If you are suicidal with a plan, immediately call 911 in the U.S. or go to your nearest emergency room. In the EU call 112. (For other international emergency numbers, go here ). Hope and help are yours!

Always the Fight Ministries (ATFM) has been displaying compassion for those fighting mental illness, addiction, or abuse since 2012. Nancy is the founder and voice of ATFM and openly shares her emotional resurrection from despair. 

NOTE: Nancy is not a doctor or a mental health professional, and speaks only from personal experience and observations. This website is not intended to substitute for professional mental or behavioral health care.

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