It’s A Balancing Act

While Tracy and I were working on remodeling our home I would often offer to help him with bigger projects. I wanted to be useful and try new things. I thought that remodeling something by myself would be exciting and challenging and I wanted to do more than what basic skills would require.

He was always sweet and calm about my offers and would usually give me something easy to do like paint, clean up or prep a room for the bigger things. So I continued to ask. Finally one day he said that the reason he doesn’t let me help him with the bigger things is that I’m clumsy and I don’t have good balance.

Well there it was, he didn’t think I could do it and so I decide to show him that I could. While we were at the grocery store I was talking with him about this and told him that I didn’t agree with him. He remained calm as we shopped and I thought I was winning him over. Then I reached for a box of macaroni and cheese and knocked several boxes off the shelf and all over the floor. He stood by smiling and said, “see you’re clumsy.”

I told him I had simply lost my footing and it was nothing, but he said, “what if you had been on a ladder and got hurt? The reason I don’t want you to help me with the bigger things is that I want to protect you from yourself.” Well I couldn’t argue with such a loving response especially while I was picking up boxes to restock the shelf I had just cleared.

I do have a balance problem and it’s not only physical, it’s also emotional and spiritual. I want to do my best at everything I try and often times overload my schedule which creates imbalance in every area of my life.

If I’m over tasked, I get anxious and then my peace is gone. When my peace is gone my kindness and patience are quick to follow and that results in no self control with my thoughts or words. It’s a balancing act and without the proper balance my whole being is thrown off.

In the sermon on Sunday the pastor was sharing about the night Christ was born. The visit from the angel was such a huge production and wonderful announcement. Followed by an invitation to meet the new born Savior of the World. His question was, “why was the announcement given to the shepherds?” His response; “A simple life is open for response.”

When I get to busy my life becomes out of balance and all I can focus on is juggling everything while hoping it will all turn out okay. That doesn’t leave any room for response. The shepherds were working when the announcement came, yet they were ready to listen, their plans changed on the spur of the moment and they immediately went to meet Christ. After seeing Him, they joyfully spread the Good News!

They had balance. They weren’t too wrapped up in their own agenda, nor did they make excuses; they simply listened and obeyed. I want to be like that. I’m beginning to understand what God means by lightening up; He wants me to be available to respond; He wants to save me from myself.

I have been out of balance so much that I don’t even hear His invitation. He’s asking me to lay it down and take up His agenda which is so much better, not a burden; but a delight. He wants to bless me with balance. Time to listen, time to respond and time to share. All of which will bring so much more peace and joy to my life.

When I realized that Tracy’s response was out of love for me I quit trying to get my own way and I found joy in doing the tasks he had given me to do. While painting the thin lines between the bricks on the fireplace, I enjoyed several hours of listening to praise music and the results were beautiful. I hung blinds in the kitchen which I look through every day and I even assembled a coffee and end tables that taught me to read through all the instruction before beginning.

I experienced balance and it felt good. God wants the same for me. He wants to give me rest from the juggling and the worry and the heavy load that I place on myself. He wants to show me a better way, His way.

My Prayer

Father, thank you for showing me where I need to make changes in my live. You love me and only want what’s best for me. Help me to find balance. To know that Your plan is better than mine and that in following Your way, I will experience life in amazing ways I would have missed otherwise. I love You Lord! Amen

Where does my help come from?

Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”