Swamped

Lately I have been feeling swamped. I woke up this morning just sure that I needed genetically altered clones of me. One altered to just LOVE cleaning and organizing and would eagerly and energetically do all day long. Another altered with an affinity for yard work so she could care for the yard in the way it deserves. Another altered to just do all of the finances, shopping etc. then our finances could stay on track. Another altered to do all the school planning and implementing of all the fun and exciting extra stuff that I seem to never have time to do. Then I could spend my time enjoying my husband and children and I wouldn't have to spread myself so thin trying to do it all. So not counting the personal selfish part of me that is left over I need five of me to accomplish well all that is on my plate. Hmmm, maybe I can be each person one day a week? Let's see how that would work out.

• Monday's I could be a cleaning and organizing machine. But how would the children get schooled, or the meals made? And I am very sure that I could not do all of our laundry on only one day of the week.
• Tuesday's I could be a gardener and make our yard beautiful. But once again my poor children would be neglected. And how would the dishes or laundry be done if I am busy outside all day?
• Wednesday I could be the financial whiz and do all of our shopping and errands. Hmm, who would school the children or feed them or look after them? I couldn't fit them AND groceries in the car right now with the van broken. And what about swishing the toilets which NEED to be done daily?
• Thursday I could focus on school planning and teaching great stuff. Okay is one day a week enough? And if I am doing this all day what else is being done? How will the children learn math and spelling and grammar or more importantly Bible if it is only one day a week?
• Friday I could spend my time enjoying my children and husband. Now this one would work out, I would gladly not do anything else but enjoy my family. But what about shopping, meals and dishes? I guess I would have to blend these into one.
• Saturday I could be my own selfish person. Well, this one is a no brainer. If I am spending a whole day focusing on me than who is caring for my family? So obviously this one has to go

So, this wouldn't work out at all. Maybe if I were to switch the days around? No, I don't think that would work either. God made me a whole woman with many different parts. I am to do all of these jobs He has given me by looking to Him each day for guidance. By looking to Him I can see that maybe I think the finances need an overhaul today, but the Lord wants my to spend it playing with my children. Or maybe it is the opposite, I want to play all day, but the Lord nudges me to focus on encouraging the children in diligence and focusing on getting the laundry caught up (ha-ha). So even though I feel like I am being pulled in many directions and I am being pressure cooked, God has a plan. When I through being refined by the fires and pressure in my life what will be left will be gold and very pleasing to my Lord.

These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:7

Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time. Daniel 11:35

For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver. Psalm 66:10

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4