In my office last week, a woman, renowned in the community, fessed up.
“I feel like I’m doing a whole lot, but none of it well,” she stated, tears forming in the corners of her eyes.
My heart broke for her. I knew how she felt.
The start of the school year is an adjustment for EVERYONE… not just the kids. While they are adjusting to a different sleep schedule, so am I. And I’m trying to figure out three different schools and four sets of teachers. There were four sets of back to school paperwork to fill out. While the school supply shopping was done for the younger two, the older two came home with lists midweek through, and then let’s not forget a gal who had her first high school football game to cheer at and a son who was eligible to get his learner’s permit… oh and yeah…. a thirteenth birthday.
Alot.
And honestly? None of it well.
I made mistakes at work. I faltered at home.
And finally, I broke down to my husband (oblivious – and in his defense, as most men are) and fessed up.
Except it was more like a meltdown.
“What can I do to help?” he asked.
“Can you do a load of laundry?” I asked. He nodded.
And then, to make sure he understood the severity of what I had just asked him, I went on to say, “because if a load of my clothes are not done tonight, I will be forced to turn underwear inside out tomorrow.”
He laughed.
I guess it was some what funny. But in making sure that HE had clean work clothes, I neglected to make sure that I had clean clothes. And because HE had clean work clothes, he was oblivious to the fact that I had gotten behind.
And kids? Shoot. They have enough clothes to last for months.
But as I looked around the house, and at my ever growing to do list, and how I was going to fit it all in….
I felt exactly like that woman sitting across from my desk did…
Yes, I’m doing alot. But I’m not doing any of it well.
A weekend off and I feel better. Not as overwhelmed. But as I told her, I had to remind myself of several things.
- If the devil doesn’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy. I was easily distracted Him all week.
- “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
- Even Jesus took a nap. (Luke 8:23)
I don’t feel as overwhelmed, although I’m still busy. As bad as I felt, I did turn down a major commitment at church… something I’m so passionate about … but it’s time to let someone else step up to the plate. Can I help? Yes. Can I do it all? No.
And that’s okay.
Doing a whole lot is okay, but once you get to a point where none of it is well, it’s time to readjust. And hopefully, catch it before it gets that far again.
Phew…
I feel better already.
Are you feeling overwhelmed? How can I pray for you today?
Until next time…
Great post. I think this is a common feeling for most women these days. Sometimes you just have to say no to things to give yourself a chance to recharge and reevaluate what is important.
A friend of mine recently took a sabbatical from socializing for the month of August. The idea sounds very attractive to me. http://www.beanupthenoseart.com/naturally/
One day at a time. When the back to school schedule turns to routine hopefully things will feel a little less BUSY.
Feeling a little wiped out myself. Back to school is great for us – the return to defined daytime patterns and expectations helps Riley a lot. He’s in the bigger kid room now, and it going great. So the first week of school – awesome. Then Saturday happened. Marty totaled his car.
It never seems to fail. Things seem to be going a little too well, then BAM! I was talking with Riley about the dilemma of what to do about a new(to us) car, how I just didn’t know which way to turn.
His answer?
R: Mom, you just need to pray about it.
Me: Oh…yeah. That’s a great idea.
R: Well it seemed so obvious, like I couldn’t believe you didn’t just do that already.
Me: Sometimes I forget, but God always has the best answers.
R: That’s right, and I’m going to pray with you about it too, just to make sure its covered.
Life is certainly a roller coaster, isn’t it?
” Can I help? Yes. Can I do it all? No.”
I’ve never been a fan of tattoos, but I think I may need to have this statement tattooed on my forehead.
Amen, dear sister!
I’ve been feeling this way too. My girlie going to kindergarten was much more of an adjustment for me than I expected. I’m so thankful for an understanding husband & a God who never fails.