Juggling….balance…priorities…decisions…motherhood… life.
Every day brings new opportunities to make a slew of decisions. And as I live, each day continues to bring unpredictable moments where I am faced with a choice.
Do I say yes or no?
The past few weeks, my priorities had to shift and change immediately. It happened when I received this text:
“I need a friend. And I may need some help.”
From that moment, I knew. Down to the bottom of my soul… my friend’s suffering family had somehow torn into a million tiny pieces.
I just knew.
Little did I know she tried to call me the previous night while I was at my daughter’s swim meet and in the crazy night’s events of a double sleepover after and early morning team practice following…I didn’t even think to check my phone messages.
She texted me again later the next day – in the midst of camp and swim team pick up and all that is busy about summer with kids. What if she hadn’t? Would I have missed my call?
When God wants us there, it’s always clear…
As our talks unfolded and my heart broke open for her, I realized that there needed to be a shift in my priorities and changes were made accordingly so I could go help my friend.
Balls were dropped. “Yes”s turned into “No”s. Cancellations were made and substitutions were placed, as the blurriness of the crisis unfolded and I stepped in to help.
I made choices as the week continued and let go of this and that and the other… perhaps disappointing some and frustrating others.
I was okay with that.
But I kept my sights on what was truly worthy of my time. And I remained in the game with continuing some important responsibilities that needed to be done, while trying to help my dear sweet friend in need.
In order for me to keep the pace of the blurry weeks morphed into ‘survival mode’, I still had to come through for VBS and helping another dear friend organize the walk for the upcoming parade. I wanted to continue hosting my women’s group and certainly still needed to care for my kids. Those were significant parts of my life I needed to also keep ‘in play’ in the midst of this trying time.
Juggling….balance…priorities…decisions…motherhood…life.
So I said “No” to more and kept my “yes” to those very important things.
I missed quite a lot the past few weeks, along with sleep and any kind of quiet.
But I knew I was doing what I was called to do. And that, my friends…
Was enough.
After having a conversation with another friend who was concerned about my being stretched too thin, I affirmed for her that God was in the center of it all. I believed He would sustain me.
Faith revealed.
Although we need to take good care of ourselves, in order to give our best- there comes a time when we are called to go beyond ourselves and sacrifice more.
Every day I prayed that God would give me enough strength to continue through each messy and overwhelming moment. Every night I prayed that the few hours of sleep would be enough. Every time I felt that pang of anxiety fluttered with where I was to go and what I was to do… I prayed. Every step of the way, I reached for His Discernment and His Direction…
And every day, He was there.
Strengthening me. Restoring me. Leading me.
Re-affirming my prayers.
There are times when our lives blow out of control in ways we didn’t plan. Those are the times we need Him most.
Am I tired? Yep.
But sometimes saying yes means sacrificing for a friend…
Sometimes saying yes means pushing yourself beyond what you think you can do…
Sometimes saying yes means making changes and rearranging your life’s priorities for the unpredictable, unimaginable, and sometimes- unforgettable circumstances that are placed in your path.
This is the only way I can live. This, to me…
Is truly what life is really all about.
Shifts in priorities…
What is important to you? What will you remember months from now? Years from now?
I want to remember that I was there for my dear friend in her time of need.
I want to remember that I stepped up in honor of my pastor and friend, who asked me for a very special favor.
I want to remember that when God called me to be present, I showed up~ in all the right places with all the right people.
Oh, how that makes my weary heart full.
And the other balls I juggle will somehow realign, and I will find some balance again… as these priorities shift in a new way. I will go forward, knowing I made the right choices this time around, and I will pray that I make the right ones tomorrow.
In the end, that’s all that really matters.
Rest. Restoration. Replenishment…
All need to happen.
Yet sometimes…
We are called to give more than what we think we can give.
Serve. Surrender. Sacrifice.
Because at the end of my life, I long to hear those sweet words…
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Mathew 25:21
Beautiful post dear friend! Beautiful reminder (and example) of the importance of heeding God’s still, small voice and to be ever searching for His will for us. It is oh so hard when it crashes against what we may want or feel is the right path. What an inspiring example of an obedient servant who says “yes” to God. Thank you for being a shining example for me in my walk. Love you!
You know what? I feel the very same about you…
You live every day facing a path that is incredibly challenging, and yet I watch you take each step as His Good And Faithful Servant. Thank YOU for being such an inspiration to me, Marcia. Oh, how I love you. Oh, how I appreciate you. 🙂
I know your friend really appreciated that you were there for her when she really needed you. Sometimes you do have to drop the ball on other things when there is a need that is greater. I don’t know your friends circumstances, but I will keep her in my thoughts and prayers. You are a very good friend!
I know she did too, Michelle. She is truly one of the kindest souls on this earth. And she rarely asks for help, that’s how I knew it was bad. This friend would lay down her life for so many, it blesses me to love and serve her. I know she would do (and has done) the same for me. 🙂 She would welcome your prayers as there is a long hard road ahead for her and her family…
The part where you said you just knew – that’s really important for me. So often in the past I beat myself up trying to do what seemed like the best when really it was only what others wanted me to do, not necessarily what God wanted me to do. Now I’m on the other end of fighting selfishness, wondering if I should be doing more. It’s hard. I just keep moving forward asking God to guide me and make my path clear.
Oh Kate, I have SO been there my friend! It can easily sway both ways… with the struggle to discern what is best for you and what decisions are honoring God’s calling, and not just pleasing others. Oh, how I get that. There will always be a multitude of people who ask of us… and I try to “pause” before I dive into any request or need from others. I have made many decisions that were pleasing to others and depleting to me. I know…I know. But with a beautiful Godly heart such as yours, remind yourself that giving of yourself is valuable and precious in His Eyes always. I also think we all go through seasons of serving and resting and being served. Perhaps you are in the season of resting and re-evaluating where God wants you now?
One thing I know for sure, is that He will honor your prayers… be patient and keep “moving forward asking God to guide me and make my path clear.”
I am so honored you shared your thoughts on this Kate. Thank you for speaking to the hearts of so many with your words.
You’re a wonder. And you’re aware. You knew when you needed to drop those “other things” in order to help someone who needed it, and I believe that you answered a calling when you did this. You knew that and your heart knew that. Nothing is more important than showing up for the people who need us – and you do that all while reminding us that we need to do that as well. Beautiful post.
Thanks so much dear friend… I am so blessed to have so many amazing people in my life that would do the very same thing. Friends such as you. (Insert long hug here.) 🙂
Sometimes there comes a time when everything is racing around you but one need comes above everything else. This has happened to me a couple of times. I felt I knew what I had to do at that moment. And it sounds like you did too. You are a wonderful friend, Chris! I hope we get to have some coffee together at some point.
Thanks Jennifer… I do believe you would do the same for a dear friend.
Oh how I hope we can have a LONG coffee talk someday too. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? Seriously wonderful. 🙂 It will happen, in time!
Chris, you have always had a servants heart and followed your calling. Even though we haven’t been hanging out recently, I know we’ll pick up right where we left off. You are an smashing friend to so many, because of your love for others.
Thank you for reminding us that none of us can execute our calling with our own strength.
Keep up the Godly work servant!
Oh you just MADE my day by this beautiful and encouraging comment Jen! Bless you… And thank you thank you thank you. I can’t wait to spend time together and catch up SOON!! Love you and praying for Jason…
This is so lovely. I try to make all of my big decisions (and some small ones too) by thinking about what I want to remember. It is such a great guiding factor.
Thanks so much Tricia! It always helps me put things into perspective when I think of the “big picture” and what I want to remember when looking back on my life. This helps me choose what is most important.
{Melinda} We are on parallel journeys, my friend. A good friend told me last week, “Forget all the rest. Right now, the only urgent thing in your life is taking care of you.” I have a hard time accepting that. I want to take care of everyone else. Which is why I’m burned out. Or very close to it. Right now, the priority is me. I don’t want it to be me. It feels wrong. But in my heart I know it’s right. I keep saying it to myself over and over, “Self-care is not a luxury. It’s a necessity.”
What a blessed friend you have that you are in her life. I know God will give you just what you need to minister to her. I”m sure He already has. <3
Oh Melinda… can we just rent a cottage somewhere far away and stay there for a week and nap and read and write and watch stupid movies and eat junk food and go for long walks and pray and and and… fill ourselves back up?
I have had to say ‘NO’ more these days to keep my sanity and my peace. I have come close to shutting down many times. Last night I felt a renewal, with one big responsibility completed (VBS) and yet today I face more. For some reason, I still feel that lift and relief and new strength- oh this can only come from God!
I am praying for you, my sweet loving and serving friend. It isn’t a luxury to take care of yourself. No no no… it is a necessity! I do pray God opens up time and space for you to do just that. Heed His Call to REST. I will try to do the same…
Unless we can find a cabin, we will have to make do with where we are at. 😉
{Melinda} Just today, Kathy and I were saying we want a writing cabin … where we can get away from it all and rest and relax and be quiet enough to hear God’s inspiration. You’re invited to come with us if we ever do find that elusive place. 🙂
June was crazy …. a women’s retreat I was speaking at and planning, other ministry responsibilities. That’s over now. And yet, the “to-do” list is as long as ever. Trying to set better boundaries. I am not indispensible. And when I insist on doing it all, I rob others of opportunities that God may have for them.
Praying for you right now, my sweet sister in Christ. 🙂
Oh thank you SO much for your prayers, dear friend! You are so amazing in all you do to serve and give and bless so many… I often remind myself the VERY same thing about “robbing others of opportunities that God may have for them” when I must say no.
Ministry responsibilities are a fulfilling aspect of our lives, in so many ways! But somehow- we need to find how to replenish ourselves and balance it just right so we don’t run dry.
I’m IN with the cabin retreat! Oh, Lord KNOWS I am IN!!!! I am seriously considering locking myself in my bedroom tomorrow afternoon – after I teach at church and take the kids to watch Derek’s soccer game. I am at breaking point now with a new major conflict and truly need to SHUT DOWN. Let me know when you book that (elusive beautiful imaginary exquisite) cabin, okay?? XOXO…
You are an amazing friend…in every way. I know exactly what you mean about receiving that kind of message…and I actually know a little about sending it, too. Having good girlfriends who we can count on when times are tough is a gift.-Ashley
That’s the beauty of deep and lasting, loyal friendships… it works both ways, doesn’t it? I love that. Oh more times than I can count have I sent those messages to my friends too. A gift indeed. Beautifully said, Ashley!
It sounds as though you did exactly the right thing. Well done for juggling so that you could be there for your friend.
I wish it was clear to me what God wants me to do – I’ve had three years of slog, the last nine months of which have been constant onslaught. Yet in His Strength, else I wouldn’t be here, still vaguely peaceful, still able to face each morning.
Only in His Strength. Thank God for that!
Oh bless your heart… I am so so sorry you have been in a season of suffering and waiting and “slog”. I pray you come out of it transformed and renewed with new hope and a clear Divine path, my friend! Keep enduring in His Strength, and I have faith that He will use these trying times for good. Will be praying for you until then. Xoxo…
Thanks – I’ll offer some prayers for you, too. I hope He listens! Thank you for reminding me that God does work with us to achieve Good.
AMEN honey… AMEN. 🙂 We just may not see it for some time. That’s when we must trust in Him, and what we cannot see. A true test of faith, isn’t it? Hold on to it, okay?
You are such an amazing friend. It’s incredible how crisis has a way of shifting things around and allowing true priorities to come in to focus. Thank God He carried you and was your strength, thus allowing you to be strength for your friend. I am praying for her and her situation as well as you and your family. I’m also sending a huge virtual hug your way.
Oh thank you SO much Hope!!! My friend and I could use those prayers!!!! I got your hug and I am still holding on to it!! 🙂
Sometimes we have no choice but to say yes- even being stretched thin and tired. We have to help.
I do hope you get some rest soon, though. xo
Thanks Shell! Not any time soon… onward to more responsibilities- but worthy of my time and depleted energy! 😉 Soon it will come… I see a break in it all. But for now- I set a pace that is just enough to get by.
And I remember well when you and Derek showed up to bring Erle to the hospital to see me and to help bring me home. . .all the same with God’s wonderful child named Chrissy! . . .and I got to born her!
AW!!!!!!! SO sweet mama! You did get to “born” me!!! I wouldn’t trade those days being there for you and Erle for anything in the world… 🙂
You are a faithful friend! Sometimes we feel at the end of our rope and yet need to stretch further. Isn’t it amazing God supplies what we need when we obey?
I hope you get some good rest soon! Stopping by from SITS.
Oh how I love what you just said here Jin!!! “God supplies what we need when we obey”- That needs to be in a frame somewhere in my house… thank you for piecing those words together so perfectly. 🙂
Remembering what is important, what I to remember, help me with priorities. Because really, I don’t want to be remembered for my cleaning skills (wouldn’t make the list anyway) or even my blog. But for following the king. Sounds like your priorities are in the right place. I pray that you will know where the time comes to step back and rejuvenate.
Oh I just love your comment Laura! SO true! If I can just cling to Him and all I believe He wants me to do and who He wants me to be, then I am succeeding in this life. Thank you, thank you so much for your prayer- “I pray that you will know where the time comes to step back and rejuvenate.” I can’t tell you how much your words hit home with me. I think my time is coming…
Thanks for posting this! I think it really brings focus on what we need to do in our lives – be there for others. 🙂
That is definitely what I find worthy of my time. People that we love and care about, should be most important in our lives. Sometimes it’s hard to balance it all, but there are times when the shift changes naturally. Thanks so much for stopping by. So grateful!