Lately, I feel like I have been operating in the weeds.
I can’t seem to catch up with the constant list of to-dos in my mind.
I can’t seem to organize my disorganized life.
I can’t seem to find peace amidst the shuffle of bills that need to be paid.
How do you do it all?
I feel like I am running after the impossible, yet I know the Lord has called me to run towards Him. I have heard his call loud and clear.
So, I run towards my calling. I run to offer soul-quenching words to weary hearts. I run to be a full-time mom to two kids. I run to be a great wife to an extraordinary husband. I run to be a strong bible leader in my community.
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 3:14)
I want to live my life in a way, where at the finish line called heaven, I fall down at Jesus’ feet knowing I gave it all to him – and for him. I want to run this race with my whole heart. I want to run this race with power. I want to run this race with focus.
I won’t back down on this. God has placed this desire in my heart for a reason. I won’t pretend that who he made me to be is not good enough.
Because, really, aren’t my organizational deficits just eternal badges of honor for the heart work that I am laying for the Kingdom of the Lord?
Aren’t the to-do’s that I can’t seem to do, just things that are in the peripheral view?
Aren’t they things that I will eventually get around to do?
Why let them rule me?
Why let them define my worth?
Why let them dictate my effectiveness?
Because, momma can’t do it all. She can’t do it perfect, all the time.
It’s impossible.
God doesn’t call us to that.
And, perhaps it’s ok to feel overwhelmed sometimes, because feeling flooded by the waters of life, gives us the chance to walk on the waters by faith. It gives us the chance to reach our hand out to Jesus so that he can help us supernaturally walk on water. Here, we can rise above the flood. Here, we can trust the living water.
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid. (Mt. 14:27)
And, maybe, it’s much more about trusting than doing.
And, maybe, it’s much more about being than striving.
And, maybe it’s much more about being filled than being skilled.
Because the Lord says, when we pour out, he will pour right back in to us.
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38)
So we can give up our hearts. He will fill them.
We can give up our time. He will hand it back to us.
We can give up our closets. He will return us something much greater.
We can give up our perfection. He will pour into us his love.
We can give up our anxieties. He will dump peace all over us.
We can give up our fears. He will measure back courage.
We can give up our own ways. He will return to us His.
We can give up our best efforts. He will shower us with his love.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 5:13)
Let us fill up on Him. Let us fill up with his ways. Let us fill up so we can run hard. Because, when we do this, we will be filled with joy and peace – ready to be poured out abundantly, on others, as we run our race for the Lord.
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I love you. You are a great mom and a great wife. We are blessed to have you. We are a team.
WOW! Thank you. I love that my first comment ever from you came with a message like this. You are my biggest fan and, for that, I will forever be grateful. I love you so much.
“And, perhaps it’s ok to feel overwhelmed sometimes, because feeling flooded by the waters of life, gives us the chance to walk on water by faith.” I love these words, Kelly. This post encouraged me to keep pressing. And more than that, to rejoice when life presses! Thanks girl!
Thank you so much Katy! I am glad this encouraged you to keep pressing on. You have so much to press on towards!
Kelly. Thank you. I needed these reminders today. You are such a great encourager. Today was one of those days when…. Well everything was just wrong. So thank you.
Amy, may the Lord lift you and encourage your soul. May you find refuge in Him. May he help you in today! Amen. I know how those days are. I kind of had a day just like that yesterday. I love new mercies in a new day!
How much do I love that we are neighbors over at Meredith’s today? So very much! Yes – and Amen to this post, my friend! I have to be reminded over and over (and over) that when I allow Him to order my day… when I actually, literally, stop and pray and ask Him to prioritize all the things – well, then, all the things that really needed to get done, seem to get done – and sometimes even with time and energy to spare! Great post! Great reminder!
Thank you so much Karrilee! I super love that we are neighbors. I love seeing your pic pop up. 🙂 God is so good. Yes, let’s let him order it. God will provide for us – he is THAT good. Thank you for being so special to me. I am so glad we met!
I love this. Thank you so much for sharing your heart.
Oh, my, to run the race with everything we’ve got! Thank you for that reminder! I forget sometimes what I’m really doing all this for. And how awful will I feel when I get to the finish line (heaven) and realize that I didn’t really give it my ALL? I feel bad at the end of a day sometimes and realize I didn’t really go ALL OUT in every moment that was given to me. I’m so grateful that His mercies are new every morning.
And thank you for the reminder to GIVE UP so that God can FILL UP. I hold onto things sometimes wondering “what if I need that?” I was given the tug on my heart to get rid of a box of clothes that I’ve been holding onto “just in case.” But someone else needs them! And I’m stepping out and giving (and adding to it from my current closet!) in faith that God will provide for my “what if” and “just in case” that might come along.
Thank you! Thank you!
Dana, Yes! I am so proud you for giving it up! God will fill up. He will. Faith is taking a risk but trusting God will provide and there you go in faith. I have the goosebumps and I know that God is well pleased. Cheering you on as you do it!
Oh, I hear ya, girl! Stopped over from #livefree to read this encouraging post. I remember last year feeling like I had been running the race so hard that I was completely out of fuel! But I totally agree with you – we must keep going, and God’s precious Word IS our fuel! He gives us all we need and more, as long as we slow down and let Him. Love your blog!
Hi Kristine, thank you so much for stopping over. It’s a joy to have you here. I love the title of your blog too. Isn’t it the truth – we were created for so much more. We feel ordinary, but God sees us as extraordinary. Praise Jesus for that! Much love to you in your day!
Oh Kelly…So glad I took a moment to read this today! Boy did I ever need this encouragement. You know bits and pieces of what I have been up against in the last couple of months since I met you. My to-do list just keeps growing with a vengeance. And lately I have felt overwhelmed just trying to figure out what I should start with each day. And then my usual no-brainer hit me as it always just. “Just start with Jesus”…and the rest will follow. Hmmm…that thought sounds like another back logged blog coming on. 🙂 You have encouraged me today. Moving forward…on thing to do at a time! Blessings my Sister!
Oh Yolanda, I am so glad that this message leaned right up against you to encourage your soul. I do know that you have been going through so much. The Lord loves how you are diligently pursuing him and seeking him first. Keep going strong. I feel so blessed we met.
I love this, Kelly, especially the part about how feeling flooded with life “gives us the chance to reach our hand out to Jesus so that he can help us supernaturally walk on water.” Thank you for your encouragement today. May we allow ourselves to be filled with Jesus!
Thanks Trudy! I love seeing your name pop up. It brings a smile to my face. 😉 Yes, Lord, let us supernaturally walk reaching our hand out to you, keeping our eyes on you so we don’t go under. We love you Lord.
Beautiful words here today, Kelly. Oh, to be filled to the measure with all the fullness of God. It is such a wonderful pursuit that often gets bogged down in the mire – in the weeds, as you said. So glad that even though we sometimes chase after nonsense, He never stops pursuing us. So glad I was your downstairs at Meredith’s link-up. Blessings to you!
Me too, I am so glad he pursues us! And I love that you came over to visit. Thanks for leaving a comment and come back again!
I just love the image of God pouring back into us as we pour out our lives to His children 🙂
Right? Give it all – to get back something even more amazing from him. I love that too Sarah.
As I have gotten older…and I am much older than you, my sweet friend, I have pulled back on DOING so many things. There is much wisdom in the fact that we cannot do a thousand things to the glory of God. Believe me, I tried for years, and all it did was overwhelm me and exhaust me. I think we are wise to choose those two or three things that God has called us to focus on, and then focus well on them. Although I cannot speak to the Mom and Wife part, I know you are a wonderful cheerleader and encourager of God’s children. For that I am so thankful. Blessings to you!
Leah, you bring wise words and much to think about. We can’t do everything. We have to be so intentional about making sure we are following God’s call and plan. Thank you for your words. I value them and I completely value you!
Kelly, love this beautiful reminder to let us fill up so we can run hard. Daily life is hard for sure! Have a great day, Kim Stewart (Compel member).
You are right, daily life is hard. I couldn’t do it without Jesus. Thank you so much for visiting today. I appreciate you Kim. I love that you are from Compel too!
Mama can’t do it all. Mama can’t do perfect. . .
Oh, how life changing these words are. We can rest in them. <3
Yes, Suzie, I want to lay right back on them and just know Jesus can fill my gaps. Thank you so much for the comment! XO
Such beautiful and needed encouragement. Thank you!
I am so glad Beth. I need this so much too! Thanks for letting me know!
I feel you. I hear you. I AM YOU. I get all of this and I so love the encouragement in these words. This mama can’t do it all, either…and she can be hard on herself trying to be super-woman, instead of relying on her Super-God. So glad to be in this together with you friend. So very glad! <3
I love that Meredith! Let’s rely on our Super-God!
Sooooo needed this encouragement this weekend, Kelly. This month. The past six months! The past four years! Gah – running after my call and tripping along the way but, OH! How much wiser I am for it!! Breaking into cheers in 2015 with my “word” – Unbridled Joy!! Filling in the cracks with Gold . . .
Joy!
Kathy
Yes! Fill it with Joy. The Lord delights in you and he wants you to receive it all!