Overcoming Overdoing

She has done what she could. ~ Mark 14:8

As this week passes too quickly, yet not quickly enough, I find myself saying "Selah" to this verse from Mark. A woman had taken her alabaster box and broken it, pouring its contents over Jesus' head. She anointed Him for His pending burial. He hadn't even made it to the cross yet, but she prepared ahead of time.

When those who supped with Him complained, he answered that she had done what she could.

When we see things coming, we know we need to be prepared, do we do what we can? Or do we fret and worry about doing those things we need not?

I will be attending the Blue Ridge Mountains Writers Conference this weekend and most of next week. I've got a 24-point to-do list. The day has gone by, and I have six items checked off my list. This may sound like an accomplishment, but a few of these items will take an entire day or a few hours of a day to complete. Some will not be finished when I leave for North Carolina this Saturday. Some will be finished in a matter of moments.

What's an overachiever to do when there's so much to be done?

Selah. She has done what she could.

Sometimes it's important to take a moment to think "What would Jesus have me do?" What preparations are necessary? What can I give my Lord in this time?

Consider the contents of your alabaster box. What is the most precious thing you have in this moment to offer the Lord? Do that first.

Break open the box. Don't hold back out of fear of what others may think or say. Don't hold back out of fear of God's response. Use those talents. Expose them. Allow the Lord to increase your influence, to use your testimony for His greater purposes.

Glorify the Lord. Share what God has done as you've been faithful to His will. Others may complain, but God will deal with their hearts through the word of your testimony.

Prepare the way of the Lord. Take that first step toward your goal. You'll be amazed at how soon you've accomplished many things as you've taken small steps. They add up faster than we realize. Soon you'll be looking back with jaw dropped at how far you've come.

Rest in knowing that you've done what you could. Don't fret over the things you cannot accomplish. God didn't create us to do it all. He gave each one of us unique gifts, talents, and calls. Do what you can. Not what you think you have to. That one thing may be something your best friend was created to do. Let her do it. And rest in knowing you don't have to.
 

Putting Off the New Year

Photo Copyright 2010 Alycia W. Morales

The holiday season is upon us. We're busy buying presents, wrapping presents, mailing presents. We're swamped with writing Christmas cards, Christmas lists, and New Year's resolutions. We're baking, blogging, and breathless.

This morning, as I read Psalm 90, I began thinking about 2012 and what I hope it holds. Verses like, "The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away," caused me to pause and reflect on what I've done this past year. Did I only labor? Were my days filled with sorrow?

"So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom." What can I do in 2012 that reflects numbering my days? Will I simply labor on, hoping I've made a difference in the kingdom of God here on earth? Or will I truly make that difference this year?

And then, the still small voice whispered to my heart. "Mary chose the better part."

See, I'm like Martha right now. I'm concerned with the many things of this holiday season. I am concerned with the many things 2012 will bring. I'm focused on doing, doing, doing.

Mary chose the better part.

In the busyness of the holiday season, we should number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. We should remember to stop and rest at Jesus' feet as we celebrate His glorious birth. We should choose the good part, which will never be taken away from us. The gifts will break or be thrown away or given away. The baked goods will be eaten. The Christmas cards will be tossed or stored. But Jesus will always be alive in our hearts. His word will never fail us. His bread will always sustain us. His water will always quench our thirst. Stop and sit at His feet. Read the word with your children. Remind yourself and others why we celebrate this season.

The new year and all it holds will wait. Put off your resolutions until January 1st. Pray for God to reveal His plan for you as you sit at Jesus' feet. Rest this season. And enjoy all God holds in store for you today.

...Thoughts for Today...

It's been a long couple of weeks, so please forgive my lack of thoughts. 

As I stated in my previous post, I attended the Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference last week. I came home refreshed, with renewed creativity, and needing a week to rest and recoup.

But I came home to enjoy much-needed time with my hubby and kids, who thirst for my attentions. I love that I have a family who desires my affections and enjoys having me around. I know how blessed I am; not everyone shares the same.

The following day, we were blessed by a visit from my husband's aunt and cousin, who visited with us for 36 hours. Upon their departure, I chaperoned my son's field trip.

As Monday wound down, I slept a deep sleep and dreamed of feeding talking mice who liked eating red and blue crayons...without the wrapper, please.

Tuesday morning, Goober Nut clung to my arm as I walked him into school. His teacher frowned, asking me what was wrong, and I shrugged. He wanted me to spend the day in his classroom, but the story I'd been longing to work on since last week beckoned from home. I'd spend Friday with him, since Field Day approached. Thankfully, Giddy had to go to gym at 8:00, and I was able to sneak out of the building. 

After watching the cliffhanging season finales of NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles, I drifted off to another peaceful sleep. Sometime in the midst of my latest dream, someone poked me. I lifted heavy eyelids to find Goober Nut wincing at me. "My ear hurts." I spent the rest of the night with a restless boy trying to sleep between bouts of excruciating pain and doses of Tylenol. His cries broke my heart, as I couldn't provide any further comfort than rubbing him back to sleep.

So now I sit, tired, waiting for what looks like another sleep-deprived night. Fortunately for me, I know the One who multiplies sleep for His children. I will rest in the arms of my Savior at this day's end and allow Him to restore my soul so I can face another day.

"The Lord is my Shepherd;
 I shall not want.
 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
 He leads me beside the still waters.
 He restores my soul..."
 ~ Psalm 23:1-3a

Resting

Photo Copyright 2010 Alycia W. Morales

I apologize, but today is just one of those days where I need to rest. I've fought the sleepy bug for three days now, resisting the nap that steals my time away. But, I'm finding myself with droopy eyes, slow thoughts, and a heavy head this morning. 

Have you ever had days like these? Days where you have a To-Do-List a mile long, yet the first cup of coffee has no effect on your alertness? 

I've spent the past two weeks with snow days, holidays, teacher work days, and sick days keeping my children from their regular school schedule. In the meantime, I've read a lot of books, blogs, and magazines. I've cleaned out the garbage can multiple times, doled out children's Tylenol and prescription syrups that smell like fermented chalk. And now, it's my turn to lay down and sleep it off. (Without the stomach bug, thank goodness. Just a sleepy bug.)

My dear hubby texted me this morning to ask, "What's up?" He's like clockwork - every morning at 10. I love it!

My response was this: "not much...feeling like a slug...i think i'm going to plug in my laptop, write a few devotions or articles, and take a nap...real sleepy...don't need a migraine..."

I don't use capital letters when texting him. He isn't picky about those grammar things.

His reply (God love him!) was: "Rest up, love you."

I rest in knowing I have his blessing to take a day off and recuperate from the past two weeks of taking care of our kids. I rest in knowing I can lay down for a couple of hours and relax, without interruptions and needs of others interfering with my own need for sleep. I rest in knowing God made this day for me to take a peaceful nap while He restores my body for another week's work...

What do you rest in today? 

~Tuesday Tips~

My tip for this Tuesday is going to wow you! It's this simple: If you need one of those small, red, round things that make your headache go away, and you find yourself wanting to snooze at the screen, it may be a clue that you need to take a day or two off. 

I find myself feeling that way this week. It's time for a break. My body isn't feeling as it should. I want to sleep at the computer, not write. 

Too many times I've seen others fight their illnesses and continue to work through, all in the name of ... making money, toughing it out, feeling as though the office won't be able to function without them ... Whatever the reason, they neglect their body's warning signs and keep at it. Until they can't keep at it anymore because they've landed themselves in a hospital bed with pneumonia or worse. 

So, my tip for today is to listen to your body's signals. Take heed when that headache won't quit, no matter how many Tylenol/Advil/Aleve/Motrin/Aspirin you've taken. Lie down for a day. Watch a great movie. Sip some orange juice. Keep your feet up. And enjoy the respite from the daily grind.

I know I'm going to...I'll see you Thursday, if not Friday. ;)