I have friends in many different situations. Some are single, some are married, some are stay-at-home-moms, some are working moms, some are work-at-home-moms, some are in school, some are working and in school, and the list goes on and on. And as we all know by now in our lives, comparison is everywhere. It’s so easy to see someone – doing something differently than us – and think, oh I bet s/he has xyz so much easier. Or, I bet she feels so much more accomplished at the end of the day than I do, or I bet she has so much more time to do the things she wants to do than I do.

These feelings are ok. They’re normal. And each time I feel one of them creeping into my head, I combat it with one single thought:

I’m where I’m needed.

Some people might need to work. Some people might be doing the right thing for their family by going to school and working. But for me, for our family, I am where I’m needed.

I am needed at home by two bright little faces.

I am needed at home to run a household, put dinner on the table, and create an atmosphere of love and safety.

I am not needed in the corporate world and I am not needed in the classroom. Could I do those things, and and excel in them? Sure, I could. But I would not be doing my personal best, I would not be doing what I am called to do, if I was doing that.

I’m where I’m needed.

And even though some days being a stay-at-home mom feels like a thankless, lonely job, I have no doubt in my mind that this is where I am meant to be. I’ve written before that I feel called to be a mother. I am called to raise little souls, to teach them wrong from right, to kiss their owies, to make them lunch, to teach them their colors, their numbers, their letters. I am called to teach my children the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to love their neighbor. And so this is where I’m needed.

For our family, personally, I am not called at this time to work in an office. I’m not called to further my education. And while, yes, it would be nice to be recognized as a successful businesswoman, or student, it is better for me to be a successful mother.

I’m where I’m needed.

And that’s what I want you to remember, if you ever feel the feelings of jealousy or doubt or loneliness. As long as you are following your heart, and the Spirit, and as long as you know that what you’re doing it best, even if some days it is overwhelming or boring or not what you expected at all, just remember: you are where you’re needed. Whether that is at home, or at work, or at school, you are where you’re needed.

And so am I.