The List of Things!

Have you ever found yourself making THE LIST of things that are going on in your life. OH, confession...I HAVE! In fact this month, it seems to be all I hear myself saying to the question, "How are you?" Well, my husband is writing a dissertation and everything is due the end of this month! He is working late hours! Our rental house is in desperate need of attention before the new tenant moves in this weekend, my four children need my attention and dedication, I am babysitting, running my home, cleaning, laundry etc..., and there is an emotion baggage event going on that is draining ever amount of energy I have. So, there is my list! I feel crazy and insane! The whole reason we make our list is because we want everyone to know we can't take any more on! WE ARE FULL! Yesterday, specifically I wanted to stand on my roof screaming, I AM OVERLOADED - IN NEED OF REPAIR! I AM NOT SUPER WOMAN - I NEED MORE PEOPLE TO HELP ME! Now, we might have those closest to us that we could unload all that on, but we must keep in mind that everyone has their own LIST that they could throw-up all over us! I really don't want to be that kind of individual! When you see me coming OH, watch out she is going to throw-up her list all over you, RUN! It is important to be real with others, but we have to temper what we say according to the people we are saying it to.Especially, in ministry situations. Temper is the key word - using this more as the cooking definition of cooling something down. Even, when you might think you are in a group of people that care for you and could help you the situation may not be right to talk about heavy things! Again, I felt the need to just unload yesterday, I had a lump in the back of my throat. Every time some one talked to me I thought I was going to burst into tears! My surroundings never allowed it! HERE IS WHAT HAPPENED: I was trying to replace God with an actual physical body yesterday. Someone to physically unload on, by the end of the evening I felt disappointed and hurt that no one came through for me. Nor should they have! This is not the first time this has happened! Here is the kicker, " We have to give it all to GOD!" All of it! In those times of giving it all over to HIM, he will give us incredible peace and even lead us to the right person for comfort! THIS OBVIOUSLY WASN'T EASY FOR ME! I'm not say it will be easy to do, but it will be worth it! So, while we make our list, feel welled up with tears, are at our breaking point...He waits patiently for us to come to HIM, unload all that pain, turmoil, and frustration. So, that HE can lead us to peace, comfort, and love beyond what we can get from an human being! I didn't get it right yesterday, I suffered all day. BUT, HE never gave up on me or stopped tugging on my Spirit to COME TO HIM for the relief I desperately needed! Christ calls us, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 -Shannon relieved through God's Grace