One million things cry out for your attention today.
Another billion quietly lurk in the shadows, waiting for their opportunity to pounce, waiting for your resolve to lapse for just a moment.
And you already know this, but you will never meet everyone's needs once-and-for-all. You will never truly finish your to-do list, never run out of errands, never get "enough" housework done, and unless your family stops wearing clothes and eating food, you'll never completely be caught up.
At some point today you will have to throw in the proverbial towel (thus making more laundry) and go to bed, because what's left to be done will still be there in the morning.
Sorry.
It's true for everyone. Moms, dads, singles, even our kids can feel the weight of work pushing down on their shoulders.
It's crazy and it blows my dreams right out of the American waters, but even retired people tell me that they are swamped.
There's no magic remedy for all the busy-ness. You can read all the books and practice all the coping-techniques, but life is work and even our vacations can drain us.
All I can think of is Colossians 1:10 -
that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; - {Col 1:10 NKJV}
Walk worthy of the Lord. If life feels like a marathon, realize that lots of people take walk breaks. There's no shame in slowing down, just keep walking. Look for the aid station, have some water, and resolve to keep going, albeit slower than you'd like. Grab some encouragement because there are others who are walking, too.
Walk worthy by slowing down enough to fight off discouragement and bad attitudes, by checking your motives and gaining perspective.
Fully pleasing Him. Which is just mind-blowing, and impossible without faith (Heb. 11:6). It's not our efforts, but His, that are pleasing to the Father. Not our to-do list or our spotless house or genius kids or exhausted service. We are already pleasing to Him if we are in Christ.
So chill.
Being fruitful in every good work. Like folding that laundry, reading that story, working that job, making that phone call. Every work you are called to today can be a good work if done for His glory. The work of a faithful servant is always glory to God.
Increasing in the knowledge of God. Because He's relational and He made us in that same way, and all of our knowledge counts-for-nothing if He's not the center of it.
I don't think that when Paul said he could "do all things through Christ who strengthens me", that he meant that he would do all things. Pretty sure he had to prioritize and delegate and let go of some things he would have liked to do, in order to do the things God was strengthening him for.
You and I are no different, and if we're going to walk worthy we also have to walk light, lighten our loads and let go of some things.
Like trying to be everything to everyone.
Let your kids see today that you are one person, but Jesus is everything and everywhere for everyone.
Linking up with The Better Mom, Grace Laced Mondays, Playdates with God, The Mom Initiative, and Titus 2sdays.