在照顾家庭、回应责任与满足他人期待的过程中，我们是否也给过自己成长的空间？
在过去这些年里，我一直活在许多角色当中。我是五个孩子的妈妈，每一天都围绕着孩子的需要打转，处理似乎永远做不完的家务。我也是一位妻子，努力经营家庭，支持丈夫，盼望这个家可以稳定、温暖、有爱。这样的生活虽然充满意义，却也让我有时忽略了一个问题。直到有一天祷告的时候，我安静下来问自己：「我到底是谁？」那一刻我慢慢明白，比起我是妻子、母亲，我首先是一个被神创造的生命。我是宝贵的存在，我是值得被爱的，我是一个独立而独特的个体，也是一位需要持续成长的人。这个认识让我重新找回自己，也让我学会用更健康、更完整的生命去爱家人。
如今，我最小的孩子已经五岁了。有时我会想象，再过十五年，当孩子们都长大成人，我的人生将进入另一个阶段。我盼望自己不仅完成养育的责任，也能成为孩子生命中的榜样。因此，我开始不断学习、进修，让自己的生命持续成长。在这个过程中，圣经中的女性故事给了我许多鼓励。路得在失去依靠时，仍然选择忠诚与勇敢，在困境中信靠神，最终走向新的生命方向。马利亚在面对未知与挑战时，选择顺服神的带领，把许多事情存在心里反复思想。她们让我明白，女性的成长不仅是能力的提升，更是信心与品格的塑造。
前阵子，我听到一首交响乐《The Ludlows》（燃情岁月）。音乐让我想起故事中的女主角，她一生都在等待所爱的人能够完全满足她的内心。这让我非常感触，因为现实生活中，我们也常常把满足与安全感寄托在人身上。然而，人本来就是有限且不完美的，没有任何人能够完全填满另一个人的心。真正能带来完全满足的，只有我们的主耶稣基督。当我们的眼目仰望祂，生命才会找到真正的方向与安息。
正如圣经所说：
「仰望为我们信心创始成终的耶稣。」（希伯来书 12:2）
又如主耶稣提醒我们：
「我是葡萄树，你们是枝子；常在我里面的，我也常在他里面，这人就多结果子。」（约翰福音 15:5）
愿我们在不同人生阶段中，都紧紧连于主，在祂的爱与真理里，持续成长，活出被爱、也能去爱的生命。
🌿 English Version
In the midst of caring for our families, fulfilling responsibilities, and meeting the expectations of others, have we given ourselves space to grow?
Over the past years, I have lived within many roles. I am a mother of five children, and each day revolves around meeting their needs and managing household tasks that often feel never-ending. I am also a wife, striving to care for my home, support my husband, and build a family filled with stability, warmth, and love. While this life is deeply meaningful, there were moments when I overlooked an important question. One day, during prayer, I quietly asked myself, “Who am I?” In that still moment, I began to realise that before being a wife or a mother, I am first a life created by God. I am precious. I am worthy of love. I am a unique and independent individual who needs to continue growing. This realisation helped me rediscover myself and learn to love my family from a healthier and more complete place.
Now, my youngest child is five years old. Sometimes I imagine that in fifteen years, when all my children have grown into adulthood, my life will enter a new season. I hope that beyond fulfilling my responsibilities as a mother, I can also become a role model for my children. Because of this, I have committed myself to continual learning and personal growth. Throughout this journey, the stories of women in the Bible have been a great encouragement to me. Ruth chose loyalty and courage even after losing security and stability, trusting God through hardship and eventually stepping into a new chapter of life. Mary, when faced with uncertainty and challenges, chose to surrender to God’s calling and treasured many things in her heart as she reflected and grew. Their lives remind me that a woman’s growth is not only about developing abilities, but also about shaping faith and character.
Recently, I listened to an orchestral piece titled The Ludlows from Legends of the Fall. The music deeply moved me and reminded me of the female character in the story, who spent much of her life waiting for the man she loved to fully satisfy her heart. It made me reflect on how, in real life, we often place our hopes for fulfilment and security in other people. Yet human beings are limited and imperfect, and no one can completely fill another person’s heart. The only One who can truly satisfy our souls is our Lord Jesus Christ. When we fix our eyes on Him, our lives find true direction and rest.
As Scripture reminds us:
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.”
(Hebrews 12:2)
And Jesus also said:
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.”
(John 15:5)
May we remain deeply connected to the Lord in every season of life, continuing to grow in His love and truth, and living lives that are both loved and loving.