“When Have I Done Enough?”

Nov 6

By Cydnie Trenholm

Is it possible to build a life I'll be completely proud of, or will there always be something I wish I could do better?

The thought hits me as I shove a frozen pizza in the oven. I'm honestly excited to eat something cheesy with minimal effort to end my "work" day (I'm a stay-at-home-mom, so is my work ever finished?). My mind runs through the mental checklist, confirming that the necessary "to-do"s are now "too-done"s.

But still, there's more I CAN do; more books to read (or write!), projects to tackle, hobbies to enjoy, nutritious meals to make, etc. I even ENJOY most of these things.

But at what point do I decide I've done enough? Does that point even exist?

Part of me screams, "No! You can always improve! You enjoy the challenge!"

But another part of me--the part that seems to simply enjoy life-- whispers, "That's a choice only you can make."

And maybe there's truth in both parts.

I love pushing and fighting and conquering. The thrill of the chase and the enormous dopamine spike of a finished project. In the midst of my creativity and work, I encounter the Living God who creates beauty from ashes and works everything for my good, and I've learned so much from "doing."

But what if life is forever an unfinished project, strung together by seasons of doing and resting and slaying and slugging?

There will always room to improve--a challenge to overcome. Life isn't known for being easy or even consistent. Curveballs tend to shake things up when we least expect it. Life may never feel "resolved."

But in every productive morning, every quiet evening, and every sleepless night, I can accept the "progess" I've made. I can accept that living my "best life" today might look like cardboard pizza and a drip coffee, and that's totally okay.

Maybe the point that "I've made it" isn't some far-off hypothetical. Maybe it's decided moment-by-moment as I check in with myself and my Creator. Like the Teacher in Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, "To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven," whether it's time to enjoy the simple things without guilt or to strive for a goal with unwavering resolve.

Maybe, like many things in life, it's both.

Regardless, you and I get to decide that--not shame, fear, or worry.

We don't have to buy into a hustle culture that always holds success just out of reach, and we can still enjoy the fruit of pouring out into work we love.

We can "RUN the race set before us" (Hebrews 12:1-2) and "WALK in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:25).

As we head into the weekend, I'd encourage you to pick ONE project on the to-do list that moves you closer to a life you are excited for, and ONE activity that lets you enjoy the life God has given you. (Conveniently there are 2 days in the weekend, so you can have 1 "goal" for each day). This could be doing that nasty thing you've been procrastinating, then playing a board game with loved ones; it could be wrestling through a tough passage of Scripture with a commentary in-hand, then soaking in a Psalm with your favourite beverage; maybe it's the creative project you're obsessed with paired with a nice walk in the fall breeze.

Whatever it is, may you do it all in the name of Jesus, resting in His grace and love as you go.

CYDNIE TRENHOLM is the author of the By My Own Betrayal series, a young-adult action novel series about assassins, the FBI, and following Jesus. When she isn’t labouring over a plotline or designing devotional journals, Cydnie can be found writing and performing music, studying God’s Word, and raising her family in Central Alberta, Canada.

Connect with her on Instagram or check out her books (or both)!