Monday, December 29, 2008

System Overload!

Having to get up this morning for work was like my system getting an electrical shock! Ouch....ewwwwww....I don't want to get up....I don't want to work....I just don't want to....I want to pull the covers over my head and stay in bed!

I love getting time off from work, but boy, does it make it hard to go back to work...even if it is only for a few days. We were off the entire week of Christmas. Plus, I was off half of the week before with my mom who broke her hip when she fell out the back door on the ice.

Needless to say...I am lagging this morning...no jet lag but holiday vacation lag.

I don't know about you but I have been running in circles now for a long time. There are days that I feel like I am running in place...not gaining any ground but not losing any either. Then there are other days when I feel like I get further behind that when I started that morning. There are a few days that seem like I get a lot of things accomplished...I love those days!

Have you ever been there?

Are you there now?

Do you get bogged down with life's responsibilities?

Do you feel overwhelmed at times or all the time?

Do you feel like you have things, people and obligations pulling at you from all sides?

Do you feel like there is not enough time in a single day?

Well, I do! I wish, I were the type of person who could function on a couple of hours sleep every night and then, I might make a dent in my obligations.

I have had people tell me to let some things go, just say "no" or don't worry about what doesn't get done. The things that are pulling at me right now are things that I can't say "no" to, can't ignore, walk away from or better yet...don't worry about them.

As a wife, you have certain obligations that you must do...it is not an option. As a mother, there are more obligations that you must take care of daily...it is not an option. As the "housekeeper, laundry person, grocery shopper, bill payer and check book balancer"...there are many obligations that you CAN'T ignore...it is not an option. Well, it isn't if you want clean clothes to wear, food to eat, not live in filth, want to keep your lights on, the phones working and the debt collector from knocking at your door. As a daughter, there are different obligations that you have to handle from time to time...not all of the time. This might be an option but you feel guilty if you don't take care of the things that are screaming for your attention. As an employee, you have "major" obligations that you have to handle...it is not an option...if you want your paycheck.

This is where I am right now...stuck in the middle of "things" that are pulling this way and that! Nearly all of them...are not an option. This has nothing to do with commitments or volunteering outside the home...this is all at home obligations.

I am struggling to find a balance in my life. I love my life and my family but I desparetely need balance.

I love the holidays and some of the hustle and bustle but not like this year. Wheeee, it has been completely hectic to say the least. I never got to just sit down and enjoy my Christmas tree, decorations or relax. As much as I love the holidays, I am glad when they are over and we get back into our normal routine...structure, schedules.

Yes, I do pray about it daily and give it over the Lord to help with the stress...but, that doesn't change the amount of obligations that need to be handled in a single day or week.

I have a dear bloggy friend that is helping me find balance and set up a schedule to "work" by...hoping and praying...this will help me find the balance that I need, reduce the feeling of overwhelming stress, guilt and bring peace, calm and a sense of accomplishment to my life.

I was seeking God this morning through His Word for answers to these feelings. I went back to the same scriptures that I know by heart and have spoken to me before. They are:

1 Peter 5:7, 8
Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. (8)
Have a wonderfully blessed day! Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [ in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. (Amplified)


Philippians 4:6,7
Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition ( definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. (7) And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Amplified)

There are many more scriptures that relate to the way that I am feeling and desiring for balance in my life.

If you have any words of wisdom, suggestions, expertise on the subject or scriptures...I would love to hear from you. Please don't tell me to "don't worry about it, let some things go or just say "no" to certain things...I've been told that millions of times and it doesn't work for me :-)

Have a wonderfully, blessed day!

7 comments:

  1. I just wrote you a long lovely comment full of love and laughter and encouragement and it didn't go through. Now I can't remember what I said lol. Something about being right where you are. Praying for you. Uh, hmmm, what else? Oh yeah I'm going to be doing something new this year with my schedule and I might post about it so that it may help encourage others. I think I said something about mud dragging and other stuff but I can't remember. I'm copying this before I send it just in case it does it again lol.
    Hugs to you my friend.
    I will talk with you soon.
    Kim

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  2. OH sure that one went through and it wasn't nearly as good as my first comment lol.
    Are you laughing? Good because it's good medicine!!!!!
    HUGGY HUGS!

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  3. I feel the same way at times. I live by lists and checking them off is a game to me. I have to accomplish things and stay on top of things. But really, we wear alot of hats and there are just those times you have to realize that you are not superwoman/supermom. I stuggle with not being perfect, so it is hard for me to let things go or just take it easy. I do have to say that this Christmas season was the most overwhelming for me. I love the verse 1 peter 5:7...It is a great one! Sometimes hard to apply, but just to know that He is waiting for us to cast our cares on Him is a relief.
    Blessings friend!
    Mimi

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  4. I love the part of Phil. where it talks about Him giving us His peace AS we trust in Him. I have to trust in Him to receive His peace. Love that.

    I am hoping to be emailing you soon. I haven't forgotten, just been busy, my friend.

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  5. I think all of us from time to time feel overwhelmed. Of course this year you had your load of stuff to deal with at the holidays and it is no wonder that you might be feeling some pressure.

    Priortizing my day helps me alot. And realizing that some days I just can't get "everything" done but if I can at least tackle those things that I had marked "Priority" - it makes me feel like I have accomplished something.

    The other thing that I have had to "learn" to do is to not get overwhelmed and stressed when I can't handle everything. The only thing that gets accomplished with that is I feel MORE overwhelmed and MORE stressed.

    Apostle Paul said it best ""I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am."

    Now if we could just learn alittle quicker huh?

    love you. How's your Mom's rehab going?

    love, Laurie

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  6. I understand where you are...but for me this time it seems I have too much time on my hands. Crazy huh? I have lots to do ...just can't seem to get things done. you know the story of rat in the cage spinning on the wheel but getting no where? that is me. I really would love to just go to sleep and wake up and our daughter be home and all the bills would be paid and we would all be happy. I keep thinking one day someone will wake me up from this nightmare I have found myself in. No such luck.
    Our home is full of memories that I can't seem to escape and I have lots to do just can't seem to make myself do them. To painful. Wow, I have just said alot and I bet I have confused you. I have not talked to our daughter since Oct. 14th ...(we have tried but she will not call us back)she is in rebellion and seeking advice from those who are not giving sound Godly advice.
    I know God is in control and will work things out...its just hard right now.
    All of this to say...
    Have you tried Flylady? there is a link on my blog. It does work and it helps when life gets so out of control.
    Blessings,
    Darlene

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  7. Hi Jen, visiting you here and praying that everything is going to get well with you and your family. Advance Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for stopping by today and sharing your heart felt thoughts with me. As we ride "Through the Storms of Life" together, chances are...your situation is different than mine. However, we serve the same awesome God, King of Kings who is in complete control and it all belongs to Him anyway...He wants to give you the very best. Be encouraged my friend, God loves you!

Thank you again for taking the time to visit me at "Through the Storms of Life".

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