I don't know about you but I have a tendency toward this phrase:
"I am Woman.
I am Invincible.
I am Tired..."
I am Invincible.
I am Tired..."
I actually used this in a blog design recently because it is oh so true for most of us.
I start most days in full throttle. Determined to pack as much as I can into the day. Fulfill all of my motherly and wifely duties, get the house clean, read all my blogs, make a little cash, put a smile on my face, answer my cell phone every time it rings, maybe even call a few friends, and the list goes on and on. Oh, and I feel like I should be able to do all of these things because scripture tells me that, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." (Phil 4:13)
I even had this scripture painted near my bathtub for years. I would settle in to relax and come down from my day and I would think to myself - "You can do this...you should be able to handle all of this...because you have God on your side...He gives you strength to handle all of the things that you take on...So suck it up...relax for now but tomorrow...just get to it...God gives you the strength to handle it all..." I doubt that I am alone in this.
The TRUTH is that many women are in bondage to this concept.
There is time in every day to do every thing that God wants me to do. God's "to do" list for me is rarely in sync with my own "to do" list or everyone elses "to do" list for me.
In the book Lies Women Believe (LOVE THIS BOOK), the author says this: "Freedom, joy, and fruitfulness come from seeking to determine God's priorities for each season of life and then setting out to fulfill those priorities, in the power of His Spirit, realizing that He has provided the necessary time and ability to do EVERYTHING that He has called us to do."
So, I challenge you right now to STOP. And if you are a pray-er (hope you are) - Pray this prayer:
"God, please reveal to me your plan for me today. Allow me to fulfill your "to do" list for me today...Amen."
You are likely to be surprised what God has planned for you. The last time that I did this - I hate to say that I don't do it every day...need to get better...anyhow - the last time that I did this - I ended up laying on the couch with Macy for two hours to watch a movie. How often do you do that? :)
Anyhow - have a great day!
I start most days in full throttle. Determined to pack as much as I can into the day. Fulfill all of my motherly and wifely duties, get the house clean, read all my blogs, make a little cash, put a smile on my face, answer my cell phone every time it rings, maybe even call a few friends, and the list goes on and on. Oh, and I feel like I should be able to do all of these things because scripture tells me that, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." (Phil 4:13)
I even had this scripture painted near my bathtub for years. I would settle in to relax and come down from my day and I would think to myself - "You can do this...you should be able to handle all of this...because you have God on your side...He gives you strength to handle all of the things that you take on...So suck it up...relax for now but tomorrow...just get to it...God gives you the strength to handle it all..." I doubt that I am alone in this.
The TRUTH is that many women are in bondage to this concept.
There is time in every day to do every thing that God wants me to do. God's "to do" list for me is rarely in sync with my own "to do" list or everyone elses "to do" list for me.
In the book Lies Women Believe (LOVE THIS BOOK), the author says this: "Freedom, joy, and fruitfulness come from seeking to determine God's priorities for each season of life and then setting out to fulfill those priorities, in the power of His Spirit, realizing that He has provided the necessary time and ability to do EVERYTHING that He has called us to do."
So, I challenge you right now to STOP. And if you are a pray-er (hope you are) - Pray this prayer:
"God, please reveal to me your plan for me today. Allow me to fulfill your "to do" list for me today...Amen."
You are likely to be surprised what God has planned for you. The last time that I did this - I hate to say that I don't do it every day...need to get better...anyhow - the last time that I did this - I ended up laying on the couch with Macy for two hours to watch a movie. How often do you do that? :)
Anyhow - have a great day!
16 comments:
Thanks, Needed that!
Good word...off to lay with my toddler under the electric blanket!
Great Post Shauna! Love that book too!
Great post! You're so right- I need to incorporate that prayer into my prayer time every morning. I need to get that book- I've heard so many good things about it.
Your post made me smile and think.
Thank you.
Oh Shauna - you are so right. As I sit here with a pile of bills and an endless to-do list - I'm gonna take a deep breath, say the prayer, walk out the door to see The Love Fairy's Pre-school Christmas program and see what happens.
Thanks for a perfect post today.
Lee
I'm with you! I took this stance when I threw my Mother In Law's party on Sunday. I refused to make myself miserable and the others around me in an attempt for everything to be perfect.
I had so much fun, so did everyone else, and everything went great. I even left the dogs inside and the cats out!!!
I focused on having fun with those I love not on every little detail.
Wow...I so needed that prayer today. I have a tight schedule this week and my husband just called to say he wont be able to do one of the things he said he could do which adds to MY list and I just started sweating in my 57degree office....I soo needed that prayer. Thank you Lord for sending me to this site. :)
Fabulously inspirational! Thank-you!
great post shauna! i really enjoy your blog. Merry Christmas!
I haven't stopped & hugged my kids or my husband today...I was "too busy"!
Thanks
I really liked that Shauna. Great perspective we can all use in these crazy times. God Bless. Thanks again for your help this week.
Shauna,
Thanks so much for that- I need to read that book!Have a wonderful holiday season!
Be blessed,
Lorie
Shauna-
I haven't talked to you in FOREVER, but started reading your blog through Rebecca's. Great post! I really enjoy reading what you have to say. Thanks for the inspiration!
This is so true. We think we can do "all things" but we don't try to find out what His things are. If we are just overloading ourselves with our own stuff and not using the wisdom and discression He has given us, we can really struggle to do it all! And like you said, we may not even be doing whats on His list. I wonder if cleaning my house is on His list for me today? ;)
Blessings,
Megan
Love this. I needed to read it. Laying on the couch my kids to watch a movie sounds so wonderful.
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