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Have you ever felt like screaming that from the rooftops? I know I have. Others often comment on my ability to remain calm and patient under challenging circumstances. In reality, I think it’s just that I’m calm as long as I feel in control of a situation.
And sometimes, that’s just not possible. Sometimes, life comes at us hard, and all we can do is hold on tight. 😉
Today’s reading: Exodus 18:1-27
Dirty dishes lining the sink. Toys littering the floor like mini-landmines from kitchen to family room. Bills piling up. House to clean. PTO committee meeting to attend. Children to drop off at before school care. Children to pick up from school. Children to drive to volleyball, basketball, football, soccer, golf, cheerleading, karate, tumbling…you get the idea. Supper to fix. Lunches to make. Baths to give. Homework to supervise. Boo-boos to kiss. Spouses to talk to.
Oh…and work. Did I mention work? Yeah, that other stuff is just what many of us do after we get home from “work.” Like the other stuff doesn’t count as work? Hah!
*Whew.*
Share the Load
It’s no wonder we often feel overwhelmed and are running a bit low on patience, feeling as if throwing up our hands and throwing in the towel are our only options.
Moses felt the same way, and his father-in-law had the perfect solution: “…you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.” (Exodus 18:18)
So he didn’t. Instead, he shared the work. And you know what? That not only gave him much-needed time to focus on his top priorities, but also enabled others to grow in their responsibilities and God-given talent.
What “duties” are you holding onto that you could share with a family member, a friend, a coworker? Would it free up your time to focus on your top priorities? Would it enable someone else to grow in their life?
Maybe it’s time to say, “I just can’t handle it!” and turn it over to God.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
~Matthew 11:28
Discovering Our Common Grounds
Drop me a comment to share how you deal with all your to-do’s. Do you share the load? Rotate the chores? I’d love to hear your ideas and solutions. 🙂
I completely agree! I can think of at least 5 duties to pass on! Sometimes I just have to let them go, especially lately. I still have a few dishes to finish from last night. Not many but they were there before midnight. I’m not sure about my solutions but I have an hour drive to make this morning and am going to be thinking about this post!
Thanks so much for the great comment! If you come up with any solutions, let me know! 😉
Lately I’ve been throwing my hands in the air, but God’s working on this area with me. 🙂 Thanks for the reminder that we can come to Him and find rest for our weary souls!
Hi, Michelle. Thanks for the comment. And I hear ya. Right now, my life seems somewhat in balance, and yet there’s all these ideas I have in my head that scream, “What if?”
That then stressed me out wondering where I’m going to find the time — and the energy — to tackle everything! Whew.
Hang in there. God will find a way to make it all work! 😉
Thanks, again!
Laura