I sure hope that your May has kicked off to a good start. The heat is settling in quick around our parts. We've kicked off May with watching our softball girls win the District. Next week we start another round of ball. It's so much fun to watch these girls and especially our girl, Mallory. She plays centerfield. We were so proud of both teams that played against each other. They all, hand in hand gathered together as one of our girls prayed for the game and also for one of our young men that was in a horrific car accident and fighting. His name is Kaden if you can think to lift him up to our Lord. I had the opportunity recently to speak to a group of women at a ladies luncheon event at a local church. Oh we had so much fun. I wished I had gotten pictures of the beautiful decorations. We had a TEA PARTY and we each kept the cup that we drank out of it. Isn't she just lovely? Easter has come and gone but we sure have a great time with family. We gather each...
Overwhelmed...have you felt that way lately? Oh the stresses of life in general can replace that sweet gentle smile with the long drawn face, sunken eyes and that look that says, "DON'T SAY A WORD TO ME" because I am about to loose it! Been there and done that and bought a tee shirt haven't you? (my daughters loathe me saying that phrase) But true!
Here is the thing ladies. We as women are wonderful multitaskers.
We can talk on the phone while folding clothes and even cook a full course meal.We can plan our next outing with the husband or the family and at the same time we can change the baby's diaper and sip on coffee. WE ARE SUPERWOMEN! All we need is the "suit".
Even for the woman that can put on lipstick in the dark while driving down the road, (a stick shift at that) and give the toddler in the back seat a pacifier, life can still be truly overwhelming!
There are just days when it HAPPENS! And it happens at every phase of life. WHY? Because it's life here on earth!
When you are "freshly" married you think, "Nothing overwhelms me". LOL! Hang on to that thought sweetheart...you AIN'T AWAKE YET!
The bills start mounting up, the dryer breaks down, the hours at work seem to be too long or too short and well, a state of being overwhelmed takes place.
The babies start coming. With that comes crying babies, kids that won't sleep through the night, all three kids get sick at once, the washing machine decides to go on vacation but you see NO vacation in site and the husband has nerve enough to ask you, "Honey, did you get my jeans washed?
Oh do we wish this was us....
The little ones only know ONE word and it is MOMMY and you swear that you are going to change your name to an ugly word and then whip them if they say it! The kids can't seem to get along with their siblings much less the other children. You take them to Sunday School ONLY to have to leave your class early because they have cried for 30 minutes or bitten 2 kids or pooped in every diaper they have! And...that feeling of being "overwhelmed" hits you like a ton of bricks.
Then the teenage years come! TALK about the feelings of being overwhelmed!!!! You think to yourself that somehow by God's grace and mercy You will SURVIVE and you pray that they SURVIVE. You pass your OWN SELF on the road as you haul them to social related and extra curricular activities all the while wondering why you can't be cloned into 4 people. WHO disagreed with that theory? While you are listening to the sobs of the teenage girl because you said "NO, you cannot go to your friend's house today" your child's friend is calling to say "Your mom is so mean not to let you come to my house today!
Then the teenagers grow up, move out, get married (YOU PRAY) and guess what? When they are overwhelmed YOU ARE OVERWHELMED! DOES IT END?
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Then with age comes other faucets of life that can be totally overwhelming. Your own aging issues, your own little hurts, pains, and "did I already take that pill or not? Your concern for your retirement, your health, caring for aging parents and/or grandparents and well....the status of being Overwhelmed at times can be.......... OVERWHELMING!
Here is the thing: For most of us when we are overwhelmed...we CAN'T just stop LIFE and go get our nails done or our toes painted or buy a new outfit! Though for the moment that would surely make us feel better wouldn't it?
So what do we do? PRAY GOD'S WORD!
Take my yoke upon you, let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear and the burden I give you is light. Matt. 11:29-30
In Matt. 11:28 the Words says, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
One of my favorite versus is Isa. 41:13 that says, " For I am the LORD your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, DO NOT FEAR; I will help you.
We pray....we seek God...we speak His Word out loud...That is what we do.
One thing I have learned over the years and I am learning still....LIFE still goes on! And for the overwhelming parts of life...most of those moments don't last forever my friend though we may think it will. A lot of times it is all about the mind-set that we tackle the tasks at hand with! Sometimes we truly cannot do all that is expected of us so must pick and choose. But oftentimes we just need to STOP, take a deep breath and simply say, LORD I NEED YOU!
What do you need from the Lord today? Call out to Him...I promise you that He will hear you. He is the only one that can truly take your overwhelmed state and turn it into a calmness of peace....
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Here is the thing ladies. We as women are wonderful multitaskers.
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(though I must admit that with age my multitasking has slowed down a bit) We can talk on the phone while folding clothes and even cook a full course meal.We can plan our next outing with the husband or the family and at the same time we can change the baby's diaper and sip on coffee. WE ARE SUPERWOMEN! All we need is the "suit".
Web Image
Even for the woman that can put on lipstick in the dark while driving down the road, (a stick shift at that) and give the toddler in the back seat a pacifier, life can still be truly overwhelming!
There are just days when it HAPPENS! And it happens at every phase of life. WHY? Because it's life here on earth!
When you are "freshly" married you think, "Nothing overwhelms me". LOL! Hang on to that thought sweetheart...you AIN'T AWAKE YET!
Web Image
The bills start mounting up, the dryer breaks down, the hours at work seem to be too long or too short and well, a state of being overwhelmed takes place.
The babies start coming. With that comes crying babies, kids that won't sleep through the night, all three kids get sick at once, the washing machine decides to go on vacation but you see NO vacation in site and the husband has nerve enough to ask you, "Honey, did you get my jeans washed?
Oh do we wish this was us....
Web Image
The little ones only know ONE word and it is MOMMY and you swear that you are going to change your name to an ugly word and then whip them if they say it! The kids can't seem to get along with their siblings much less the other children. You take them to Sunday School ONLY to have to leave your class early because they have cried for 30 minutes or bitten 2 kids or pooped in every diaper they have! And...that feeling of being "overwhelmed" hits you like a ton of bricks.
Web Image
Then the teenage years come! TALK about the feelings of being overwhelmed!!!! You think to yourself that somehow by God's grace and mercy You will SURVIVE and you pray that they SURVIVE. You pass your OWN SELF on the road as you haul them to social related and extra curricular activities all the while wondering why you can't be cloned into 4 people. WHO disagreed with that theory? While you are listening to the sobs of the teenage girl because you said "NO, you cannot go to your friend's house today" your child's friend is calling to say "Your mom is so mean not to let you come to my house today!
Web Image
Then the teenagers grow up, move out, get married (YOU PRAY) and guess what? When they are overwhelmed YOU ARE OVERWHELMED! DOES IT END?
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Then with age comes other faucets of life that can be totally overwhelming. Your own aging issues, your own little hurts, pains, and "did I already take that pill or not? Your concern for your retirement, your health, caring for aging parents and/or grandparents and well....the status of being Overwhelmed at times can be.......... OVERWHELMING!
Here is the thing: For most of us when we are overwhelmed...we CAN'T just stop LIFE and go get our nails done or our toes painted or buy a new outfit! Though for the moment that would surely make us feel better wouldn't it?
So what do we do? PRAY GOD'S WORD!
Take my yoke upon you, let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear and the burden I give you is light. Matt. 11:29-30
In Matt. 11:28 the Words says, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
One of my favorite versus is Isa. 41:13 that says, " For I am the LORD your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, DO NOT FEAR; I will help you.
We pray....we seek God...we speak His Word out loud...That is what we do.
One thing I have learned over the years and I am learning still....LIFE still goes on! And for the overwhelming parts of life...most of those moments don't last forever my friend though we may think it will. A lot of times it is all about the mind-set that we tackle the tasks at hand with! Sometimes we truly cannot do all that is expected of us so must pick and choose. But oftentimes we just need to STOP, take a deep breath and simply say, LORD I NEED YOU!
What do you need from the Lord today? Call out to Him...I promise you that He will hear you. He is the only one that can truly take your overwhelmed state and turn it into a calmness of peace....
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Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Cindy, what an excellent post on how to deal with those moments (and most of them really are moments) when we feel overwhelmed! It made me think of the "time" segment in Andy Stanley's Breathing Room series. It truly is important to have God's Word hid in our hearts that we can say it aloud back to Him. Thanks so much for sharing here today! Dianna xo
ReplyDeleteThanks Cindy! Timing is perfect today for this.
ReplyDeleteConnie Royals
Amen! If only we'd turn to Him BEFORE we become all stressed out! Our lives would run a lot smoother. Have a great week, Cindy! Zenda
ReplyDeleteamen! just awesome, cindy:)
ReplyDelete"Then with age comes other faucets of life that can be totally overwhelming. Your own aging issues, your own little hurts, pains, and "did I already take that pill or not? Your concern for your retirement, your health, caring for aging parents and/or grandparents and well....the status of being Overwhelmed at times can be.......... OVERWHELMING!" This entire paragraph describes me to a "T"!!! Thank the good Lord above that I have HIM to turn to!!! Thanks for the not so gentle reminder!!! LOL
ReplyDeleteLove this and I don't know what I would do without him! You nailed the description of motherhood my friend!
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
Thank you for the reminder to lean on God. He already has today, and tomorrow, in his hands.
ReplyDeleteEllen
Thanks, Cindy, what a blessing you are and what encouragment this gave me! LORD, I need you seems to be my famous words lately.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Cindy - and do take the time for tea and cake today, with Word wide open for a little break from "Mr. Overwhelm" - he's a bore, don't you think?
ReplyDeleteIf kids only knew how good they had it not be all grown up!
Joy!
Kathy