December 10. Utterly and completely overwhelmed. Not by Christmas, surprisingly. In fact, Christmas doesn’t seem stressful at all this year…at least not yet. Today, it is inadequacy that has me overwhelmed. In the past couple of weeks, we have had two Early Intervention annual evaluations, one psychological exam, an eye exam, and two well-child checkups…all to evaluate progress or to secure support for our three youngest. I doubt I need to say anything more for my warrior-mom friends to understand, but for everyone else, this basically means that I have been inundated with information about what these kids need to thrive, reach potential, and overcome their challenges. And let’s just say, it is a LOT.
I could take each of these kids and work one-on-one all day everyday and still not do everything they need, especially for two of them. When I combine those tasks with running a home and homeschool and trying to just be a mom to my “typical” kids, and soon I am drowning in impossibility. Throw in a week or two of very bad sleep, and the result is toxic thinking.
The antidote? Go to the One who specializes in impossible. It is amazing what an hour in God’s Word can do to a troubled soul. I still face overwhelming need, a lot of guilt over failure, and not enough hours in a day to make a dent in what needs to be done. But I am calmer now because I have God’s perspective and priorities for me and these children He loves so dearly.
In His words…
- I know how you feel.
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16, NIV)
- I will equip you for the tasks to which I have called you.
“May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 14:20-21, NIV)
- Don’t give up.
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:2-3, NIV)
- Yes, you have made mistakes and neglected some things, but I will set you straight. Accept my discipline and become stronger for it. That will help your children thrive.
“Endure hardships as discipline: God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?…No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.” (Hebrews 12:7, 11-13, NIV)
- Let go of your guilt and trust me to fulfill my promises to you.
“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who is promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:22-23, NIV)
The “Christmas Story” Scriptures reveal who the Messiah is and why He came:
*to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21)
*Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23)
*a ruler who will be the shepherd of His people (Matthew 2:6)
*the rising sun who will come from heaven to “shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace” (Luke 1:79)
*Savior, Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11)
*Son of the Most High (Luke 1:32)
If Advent is a time to anticipate the coming of the Messiah, then part of the necessary–though painful–preparation is becoming acutely aware of how desperate I am.
Dear Lord, I am utterly and completely overwhelmed. So many things need my attention, God, but the sheer volume of it paralyzes me, and I end up accomplishing nothing. Lord, free me from the empty escapes of computers, phones, books, chatter, and sheer unproductivity. Kill the perfectionism that leaves me frozen. Help me stop allowing myself to be pulled in so many directions. Instead, keep my eyes steadfastly on Your will and the plan You have for me and my children. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen
Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10, NIV)
crosseyedliving 