Do you ever feel like you're just barely hanging on?
The dishes, the laundry, the cleaning, the cooking, the bills, your friends, your family, ministry, marriage… oh, lets not forget about your job and all the other things that just “pop” up in life… It is no wonder that our generation and women today are more stressed than they have ever been before! There is more anxiety, more depression…and sadly less joy in life for SO many! Sound familiar?
Do you wonder how other women seem to be doing it all??
And just to add insult to injury we doom scroll in our two minutes of peace (in the bathroom usually lol)…just trying to get a break mentally…and we’re met with reel after reel of women who are seemingly doing all the things that we’re supposed to be doing… With their hair perfect, makeup contoured, house spotless and seasonally decorated, and the kids playing nicely in the background while they cook amazing meals in their giant kitchens…
And sure, we know there’s some careful camera angles and a little editing…but even if half of what we see is true- it’s still so much more than we’re accomplishing in our old yoga pants and holey tshirt.
Do you struggle to find the balance between what you want to do and what you need to do???
Then there’s all the responsibilities of being an “adult” (whatever that really is!), a mother, a wife… a daughter, sister, friend, employee…But when are you supposed to find the time to do the things YOU want to do?? When was the last time you just sat and read your Bible? Or had time to fill in your gratitude journal? Do you fall into the trap of feeling guilty doing something for yourself when everyone else “needs” you?
Sweet Sister, You are Not alone!
Let me share one of the hardest stories for me to wrap my head around...
Martha and Mary
Luke 10:
38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus[a] entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary.[b] Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
Who else relates to Martha??
My problem with the story is Martha was doing all the things that NEEDED to be done! I mean… you have people over, they need something to drink…and they’ve traveled, you need to feed them. It’s not like she was busy with nonsense…she was busy with necessities! I can imagine Martha thinking, “I want to sit and listen too…if Mary would just help me we could be done faster!”
And I imagine Martha feeling like no one even cared that she was doing ALL the things and missing out on Jesus.
Jesus gave her the truth though… “one thing is necessary.”
Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.
So what can we do? I'm glad you asked!
Here are 5 ways to keep Jesus at the Center of our Busy Days:
1. Start Small: A Heart Check Before the To-Do List
Before you get out of bed in the morning say a quick prayer. Simply pray “Thank you Father for another day, today is Yours. Help me live it with You.”
If you have problems remembering to do things like I do…place a post it note on your nightstand to remind you. It doesn’t have to be a big thing…just something to help you build a new habit.
Even 30 seconds of surrender first thing in the morning will shift the tone of your entire day.
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”
2. Turn the Mundane Into Moments of Worship
As you are washing those dishes, thank the Father for his provision…that you all had food to eat and a safe clean place to do so.
As you’re folding the laundry thank Him for clean clothes, water, and the blessings that made them dirty.
As you’re vacuuming or scrubbing toilets turn it into a time to talk to your Father about your hopes and dreams.
And if you’re just mentally exhausted, as we all get, turn on worship music and just sing along…
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
3. Create Holy Rhythms (Not Rigid Routines)
We have to let go of the idea of perfect quiet time…Perfection just isn’t reality. God doesn’t want to hear from us only when the house is clean, the candle is lit, instrumental hymns are playing and everything is calm.
Instead, place verses on your refrigerator… listen to a podcast while running errands… pray while walking and pushing a stroller. It’s ok to pray while doing other things!
Start with small ways to shift your focus. Change the radio station to worship. Set a timer and read your Bible for 10 minutes before you start doom scrolling. Little changes will lead to larger changes!
Give yourself grace—faith is about consistency, not perfection.
4. Anchor Your Home in Scripture
This is one of my favorite ways to help our family focus on Jesus… Place scripture Everywhere!
On your walls.
On your mirrors.
On your clothes.
On your pillows.
On your shelves.
In every direction you look…let there be Scripture! The reality is we are a distracted and forgetful people…putting scripture in front of our faces makes us stop and refocus. Scripture should be as natural a part of our conversations as all the movie quotes and song lyrics that pop to mind all the time. You don’t have to know the address to every verse- there is no quiz to see if you get the book and chapter right…Just know the Word!
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
5. Invite Jesus Into Your Stress
The Lord knows that your life is busy…He knows that you are stressed…He wants to help you!
I imagine it like someone running (not that I understand why anyone would want to run on purpose…but evidently it’s a thing for some people lol) When people are running a race there will be people on the side of the course holding out a cup of water- reaching and hoping that someone running by will grab it and be refreshed.
Your Father in Heaven wants to refresh you…in the middle of the stress…in the middle of the busy!
Father, you know I'm trying- please help me.
That’s it…that simple prayer is all you need. God doesn’t only want to have formal conversations with you…where your prayers are rigid and to someone who is distant and above you.
The Father wants His daughter to say “Abba”…which is our equivelent of Daddy… He wants you to come to Him as dearly loved and in close relationship. Ask Him to help you in your mess and stresss…He will meet you there!
Conclusion
Your faith isn’t measured by how Instagram-worthy your Bible time looks—it’s measured by a heart that keeps turning back to Jesus, moment by moment, through the mess and the beauty.
