I had a pretty good weekend. We finally took the kids apple picking, had some good family time, baked an apple crips and a bunch of zucchini and banana bread, taught the older kids how to play the game of Life and enjoyed a wonderful time of worship and fellowship at church.
All that fun was forgotten as soon as I looked at my to-do list for the coming week and bad things started to happen. The fact that I haven’t slept well these last few days plus the fact that my list is longer than Rapunzel's hair made me feel super overwhelmed, which in turn made me snap at my kids, and brought on the dreaded feelings of weepiness. How in the world am I going to keep up with deadlines, clean up a home that has TOTALLY exploded over the weekend, homeschool and deal with all the other little things that will fill my day?
So here are a few things I am meditating on to help me get a right perspective and not only get my work done by have a joy filled week.
1. God has my day planned
God’s plan for my day may look so very different from what I think my day should look like. He may throw in some unexpected phones calls or visitors. There may be some extra messes. Instead of having a spiritual little temper tantrum, I need to remember that, come what may, it is the day The Lord has made. He is all wise and perfectly good and so everything he puts in my day is wise and perfectly good!
2. God doesn’t care what my kitchen looks like
My real problem here is pride. I would be mortified if someone came over when my home looks like clothes, toys, school materials, ect have been thrown around like confetti. What would they think? Would they judge me? Would they assume the best, that I have been busy raising children, and doing what I can, or would they assume the worst--that I am lazy, undisciplined, and care little for the responsibilities God has given me?
But, you know what, I answer to God, not man. I need to say this over and over again because I forget! God is more interested in my heart than in my dishes, floors, or closets. I can't blow off my responsibilities, but my God does not love me less, and sigh in disgust when my sink is disgusting.
3. God can be found in the chaos
God is found everywhere. I can pray and reflect on him and his word as I am going about my busy day. Even if my scheduled times of quiet meditation and Bible reading are taken from me, I can hide his word in my heart, and walk with him while reminding the young ones that the bathroom sink is not a garbage can, or while starting laundry load #132.
4. God will give me strength to finish well
I like to think of myself as a strong woman, but I am keenly aware of the weight of what God has called me to do and I often, rightly, see just how weak I really am. But God has not left me alone. He is with me, to strengthen me to do the very work he has prepared before hand that I should walk in them. As I do my work in faith I will find strength.
5. Christ is what I need to set my eyes on
"When my heart is overwhelmed—lead me to the Rock that is higher than I!" Psalm 61:2
Christ is the only solid thing in my life. He is my rock that never moves. Everything else is like sand, giving way at a moments notice, but not Jesus. He is steadfast and completely trustworthy. When my days are wild, when my brain feels like it is going to explode from all the things I need to remember, I need to think on this:
“Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me.” Psalm 40:17
What a beautiful and calming thought. Jesus thinks about me! If he cares for the flowers and the sparrows than he certainly cares about my crazy days and my overwhelmed heart.
This week will be busy. Crazy. But it is God's week, and I am thankful he has planned it and is with me throughout it. I just need to remember this.