When You Feel Like You Can’t Do It All

As a mom, wife and homemaker, it’s easy be overwhelmed and feel like I can’t do it all.

Dishes need to be done. Laundry is waiting in the dryer to be put away. A child needs to be disciplined. The baby is crying. Your husband would like to eat.

Those are just a few of the responsibilities within your family. Then add in minimal outside commitments: church activities, volunteer work, dinner with friends, and work activities.

So many times I feel like I’m in over my head. There’s no way I can do what I need to accomplish and do it well. I stress about not being the kind-of parent my daughter needs, not holding my little guy often enough (way less than his older sister was held), not having time to relax and enjoy downtime with my husband, and having to say no to good opportunities.

In the midst of an exhausting week, I sat down to do my Bible study and read Ephesians 3:16:

“that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in you inner being.”

Wow. I love when God speaks exactly what I need to hear. What a truth. Reading this verse makes me smile and a sense of calm comes over me. I’m not able. The amazing thing is that it is okay. I don’t have to be able, because He’s able for me. I’m so thankful I can depend on God’s power.

When I don’t know how to respond to my daughter and I’m at a loss for how to make her understand, it’s okay. I can slow down, pray and ask God to strengthen me with His power and give me wisdom from above.

When I’m beyond exhausted after being up with a sick child countless times throughout the night and am overwhelmed by the amount of things that need to be accomplished I can count on God’s power to get me through even when I’m not able.

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Philippians 4:13 reminds me that I can be the mom, wife, homemaker, and friend that God has called me to be, but only because Christ gives me strength.

 

As I go about my life, I need to remember to not get bogged down with me and what I’m doing. I need to keep a heavenly perspective and remember that God is in control and has the strength to get me through even the most stressful day and difficult parenting situations.

Deanna Michaels is a wife and mom (of two) attempting to balance frugality, (mostly) natural living, lack of time and sleep all while trying to follow what the Lord wants for her life. Deanna is a lover of good books, BBC mini series, dark chocolate, and spending weekends at home. She blogs at From this Kitchen Table.