For the first time almost 5 years of my blog, I failed. I missed 4 weeks of posts in a row. So, I am writing to tell you what happened. 😅
LIFE. LIFE freakin’ happened.
Sometimes you just can’t. The last 4 weeks have been all gas, no brakes, around the clock, no days off, pedal to the metal, nonstop grind. I am talking 4am-midnight type schedule.
Rich and I, with our very small full-time staff and an army of volunteers—who also have full-time jobs, families, and lives—organized a mission fundraiser for our whole city in 40 days (oh—and our 25th church anniversary was stacked right in the middle LOL). Nights were spent at the church working, building, cleaning, etc. in order to make this happen.
We had never done anything like this event before. And it was EXCELLENT. Everyone gave their all, their best, their blood, sweat and tears to make this thing happen and we crushed it. We couldn’t be more proud!
But when you go all in on one thing, something else has to give. All your focus, energy and attention focused on a specific area means other areas might slip through the cracks, intentionally or unintentionally.
You know what I mean? It’s a juggle and you must make a choice. Is it okay to drop the ball on this? Is it okay to not be excellent in this area for the sake of another area? Can I be okay with looking like a failure? Can I run the risk of disappointing people? Can I say ‘NO’ to some things?
And I had to make the choice.
We are human. We CANNOT do it all despite what the dysfunctional culture today says about us women. We are not superhumans. And maybe we can juggle it all for a season, but then things start to break. Health, relationships, responsibilities, etc… something will suffer somewhere at some point.
Psalm 90:12 (ESV): “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”
So I chose wisdom and had to cut myself some slack, letting this thing go for a few weeks.
I had to decide if it was worth it, what would be the result, and allow myself to “not be the best” at this responsibility for the sake of my physical, mental and emotional state. Also anything I could have possibly come up with to write would have probably been dumb.😭
And once I made that decision, I let it go. I didn’t allow guilt, beat myself up, or feel disappointed in myself for one minute. I had grace on ME.
I recognize when I am pushing myself too far. When I am spread too thin. When I am running on fumes.
And when that happens—I don’t do anything well. I get too emotional, I get mentally drained and can’t think clearly, and my physical body punishes me more than I’d like to admit.
I had to step back and look at things BIG PICTURE.
3 KEY AREAS
1. MOTIVES:
Am I doing all these things to keep everyone else happy?
Are my priorities in line with what actually matters to ME… and my calling?
2. PRIORITIES:
What truly matters right now?
What can I sacrifice in order to do the most important things well?
What needs to be set aside, rearranged, or moved to the future—for the sake of my well-being, my family, and what actually matters most?
3. VISION / END RESULT:
What is the vision for my life—and what actually lines up with that vision?
What is most important in the end?
At the end of it all, what will be remembered? What will truly count?
Everything else can be set aside… rearranged… or even scratched off the list altogether.
Isaiah 60:22 (NIV): “…When the time is right, I, the Lord, will make it happen.”
Keep JESUS center stage. He will help you with the rest.
I can trust Him with it all—He is faithful, and He will work it out.
Just trying to look out for my girls—I love you too much to let you burn it all to the ground trying to be superhuman.
Walk in God’s grace and He will help you!
GO GIRLS!!
Love, Annie
