Last night, gathered around our couch and enjoying country-style donuts and a delicious Meritage from New Kent Winery, a small but awesome group of friends read through the book of James.

There is such a sweetness in simple fellowship. Food, friends, God’s word and good conversation.

It was an anchor in a week where I’ve felt myself drifting. Lately I have been feeling aimless and maybe even mildly depressed. Anxiety is a thing for me, too, although I didn’t know to call it that until this past year. Maybe it’s because I’m approaching the one year anniversary of losing our baby. Maybe it’s because all of my friends seem to be entering new, exciting chapters of their lives and I’m not. Same old, same old.

Getting truth in always helps. It’s like the sun coming up in a brand new day, chasing away the doubts and fears that surround us in the dark.

There is a pressure in our culture to be it all and have it all. And I’m not and I don’t. So sometimes it feels like I’m far behind where I should be. The great thing is when I look in God’s word, the truth is there is no “should be”. Not compared to American standards, anyway.

Here is what God says we can be satisfied with (this is not a comprehensive list but I think it’s a great place to start):

• Having faith (Hebrews 11:6),submitting to God (James 4:7), which means living to please God and daily resisting the sin that wants to take us over, and sharing the Gospel (Matthew 28:19).

• Being in community, encouraging one another, caring for others and allowing them to care for us when needed. (Hebrews 10:24-25) (Galatians 6:2)

• Helping the less fortunate. (Deuteronomy 15:11)

Being content with our basic needs being met. (1 Timothy 6:6-8)

Our culture tells us a very different story: “Get as much as you can. Find your own truth. Have false humility but know deep down how great you are!”

Paul, a man who could claim countless accolades, thought this was the way to go:

“Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:11

So I ask these questions: Is it enough to be a Christ-follower, a wife and a (part-time) mom? Do faith and family comprise a worthwhile life? Can we find joy in the simple, day to day blessings and, yes, even the monotonous? Can we reject the feelings of inadequacy and the need to prove ourselves otherwise?

Asking for a friend. But I think the answer might be yes.

Angela