One of the parables that I think about quite a lot is that of the talents, where a master gave his servants talents (worth a lot of money in those days) when he went away, entrusting each of them according to their abilities. (Matthew 25:14–30). Two of them made profits but one buried his talent as he was afraid of losing it and feared his master.
There are so many meanings to this parable but the one I take on board most is the idea of failing to use your talents out of fear and I end up putting together in my mind an account of what I could possibly say I had achieved in life and falling short. Am I like the third servant? This bothers me a lot.
In this connection, comparing yourself to others is a very bad thing to do. The people I know are mostly teachers, doctors, engineers etc. and have had very successful careers. I decided to give up my career and be a full-time mum. I don’t regret it as I think looking after your children when you are able to is very important and greatly respect those mothers who have to work and bring up children. It is just looking back now, when I am retired, and assessing what my contributions have been and what my worth is that I feel I have fallen short. I question myself about whether I chose the path I went along out of fear rather than a desire to be a good mother.
I am sure many of us do question the validity of our lives and how fulfilling and useful they have been. Fortunately, the standard God uses isn’t our standard. Ultimately, we will have to face up to a reckoning of what we have achieved and what we have fallen short on, but fortunately God is forgiving and merciful. We should ask him at any stage of our lives to reveal to us what our path should be and have hope and pray that we get there in the end! This is what my hope is and what I cling to when I think about this.
God bless you and encourage you on your path,
Widows Mote 