The Flooded House

“Take a breather. You can’t do it all.”

“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.‭‭” Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I’m an all or nothing kinda girl. I’m either putting 100% toward everything, or 0%. No in between. Recently, I took on a part-time job at my church, which over all has been amazing. But I thought I could do it all. I continued my other part-time gig (furniture restoration) while also raising my 4 kiddos while also making all meals from scratch while also opening our home for a Bible study group while also keeping the bathrooms clean while also making bread and yogurt and such, while also trying to maintain and build relationships. Totally doable. No 0% here. 100% effort toward 100% of the things.

But the thing is we weren’t created to function alone doing all the things. I started getting small nudges from the Holy Spirit about the sabbath and rest. And I thought, that’s all well and good, but I don’t know how things get done if I stop. There’s just too much to do. Great idea, but not realistic.

Well, the Holy Spirit wanted me to learn how to balance, put things down, and prioritize. And me ignoring Him wasn’t going to work. So He sent a flood. And I’m not even kidding. In all my busyness, my brain became too full. And I got distracted. I tried to fit in soaking the dog’s bed in the tub while also taking care of my toddler, getting ready for an IEP meeting, and all the other things going on. And I left the house. With the water running. For 3 hours. (If you’d like information on the water mitigation process, hit me up.)

Momma. Learn from me. Don’t flood your house. Listen to the nudges. Take a breather. You can’t do it all. You can’t have it all. You weren’t made to be 100% for everything all the time. Not only are you allowed to put some things down and rest, but Jesus commanded it.

Action Steps

• Don’t be like me. Make better choices. 

• Rest. Allow yourself to receive grace. It doesn’t all have to be perfect. Put it down. Eat a snack. Take a nap. It’s going to be okay.

Written by Barbara, mom of 4

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