For the past few months I have been increasingly working to finish my thesis and during December I have not been a very attentive husband, father or pastor. First, I thank this church and family for your patience with me as I spent less time than usual preparing for preaching, visiting, and doing administrative work. I’m glad to get back to it!
I suspect I’m not the only one who occasionally struggles with too much to do and too little time to do it!? There are times for most of us that we end up with either too much expected of us or too little time (or both). Usually, in these moments I discover it isn’t as bad as I thought, but even if I am totally overwhelmed: freaking out doesn’t do any good.
Think about the young girl, Mary, who is unexpectedly pregnant. She must have been overwhelmed and unsure where to begin, but she took it one step at a time and she found someone she trusted to help her through it (Elizabeth).
Gosh, I was feeling so good when I pushed the send button on that thesis, but then I walked into my office and looked around the house. My wife just texted me about Christmas shopping still to do. I have so much to catch up on. Where do I begin? I prioritize, I sit down and make a plan for my day and week, and then I start one thing at a time. Think about Noah. He has a huge project in front of him but it was doable when he started with gathering his tools and looking over the plan he'd been given..
This season when the gifts aren’t purchased and the table isn’t set, try to take one day at a time...one thing at a time... and know that no one will love you any more or any less because the toilets and oven didn’t get cleaned.