Tuesday, April 10, 2007

When I let life get to me

I overslept just a bit this morning, enough to make it necessary to go into overdrive to make it to co-op in time for my son's first class. As I dropped him off and headed to the nearest McDonald's (for coffee and to go over the notes for my 10:00 class), I could tell the tension was growing in my shoulders and neck...a barometer of the stress level in my life.

There is no one major source of tension but many little foxes that have been getting to me lately. Too many errands, health challenges, responsibilities large and small, talking to my son about relationship challenges in his life and how we are going to pay for classes this next year...burdens that one by one I have been accepting and holding onto.

Some things did have to be dealt with immediately like exploding Pyrex dishes and laundry on my living room chairs that needed folding and put away. But as I drove to McDonald's for much needed coffee, I started thinking about the burdens I had taken upon myself that were unnecessary.

Most of them are challenges I can only pray over and "let them go"...those regarding health and finances. For there is nothing I can do to change the situation. I can try to eat healthier, exercise and spend even less but I can't control rising grocery store and energy prices. I still can't get used to the price of gasoline jumping a quarter per gallon overnight...sigh.

I know my son is feeling disappointed that there are friendships and situations in his life letting him down, troubling him to the extent that he can't get them out of his mind. I am very glad he shares them with me. But I can't change them. Those experiences he is going through are common to young people that age.

Decisions are being made as to character as well as life's path. From his first scrape as a toddler on a playground to now, these are his battles that must be fought. Taking them on myself will only add to my own burden. I have enough challenges that are my responsibility. I give advice and pray but I take those burdens off of my shoulders (easier said than done). Dealing with them is necessary for him to continue to grow as a young adult.

Some situations resolved themselves by the end of the day...trouble getting a prescription filled was taken care of after (what seems) hours on the phone, my class notes were put together and editorials printed off in time to teach this morning, a couple loads of laundry were done, the ingredients for soup was assembled and simmering on the stove before they "went bad" in the refrigerator, the package with books was sent on its' way to delightful children in New England...a temporary overload of the "gotta do's".

However, many of the burdens I've been feeling were brought about by my own decisions. I was away from home far too often this past week. Those daily responsibilities at home are only a burden when they pile up. I enjoy cooking and keeping the house looking pretty but stress rears its' ugly face (and neck muscles tighten) when I'm playing a game of catch up by doing yesterday's work along with today's. I only have enough energy for today.

I've found health and money challenges normally work out.. Relationship challenges are taken care of one way or another. Kid's grow up to be adults and (prayerfully) have been taught what it takes physically, emotionally, and spiritually to walk through life.

Tomorrow I look forward to slowly arising and enjoying my first cup of coffee with my Bible and my well worn leather edition of My Utmost For His Highest. I will turn my burdens over to the only One who can solve them. I will take my time vacuuming and sweeping, polishing, washing, drying, and doing all those things that come together to bring about a cozy place to live. When all is finished and the last dinner dish put away, I will brew tea and curl up with a great book and reflect on how I let myself get so burdened in the first place.

Life...when lived one day at a time...works...and His mercies are new every morning.

12 comments:

Linda said...

Thank you. This is useful as there are so many days like this and it is good to see a sane way of dealing with them.

Anonymous said...

Very well said, my dear. A wise word well taken by me, and I'm sure dozens of other will also be blessed. Thank you! mrsb

Maggie Ann said...

What a great perspective you have and the cost of living is climbing and those gas prices! Still, as you say, most things work themselves out when we commit it all to the Lord. My hubby put our 3 children through Christian school and music lessons...while we lived on a shoestring, but we had so many happy times just being together. I agree too that too much time away from home really does create that 'overload' of laundry etc. I was gone all day yesterday and to tired today to lift a finger. Oh well, work does wait well, doesn't it?

Anonymous said...

I'll keep you in prayer. Your son sounds much like one of my daughters who has similar challenges in her life. She also shares much with me ;). My husband is having health issues and is our sole provider. How similar the need for God; the Word. Our finances have always seemed to fuel our prayers!LOL. But...yes, in God...they do work out. I have linked to this page; your honesty in sharing refreshes me often. ;)

Lallee said...

Brenda, those 'little foxes' tend to stick to us like velcro don't they? After your post, I think I'm going to sift through and think what to pray and let go of, and what I can take care of......after some devotions.

Warmly,
Lallee

smilnsigh said...

Unnecessary burdens, taken on self... So much wisdom in those 5 words. It would be well to have them engraved somewhere. Put up somehow, so that we'd bump into them, often.

Thank you for bringing this to mind, today.

Mari-Nanci

smilnsigh said...

Mmmm, it's now April 11th..........

:-)

Mari-Nanci

Anonymous said...

What a thought-provoking post. I think we all, at one time or another, take on burdens that are not ours to bear...I know I'm guilty of doing just that. But as my mother often says, "This too shall pass." One way or another, things ARE worked out--making way for the new things that come along...and the cycle continues. But you are SO right, there is One who can make our burdens light and He's the only One!
What wise words. Thanks for sharing yet another excellent post, and also congrats on your Homeschool Blogger Awards nominations!
Have a blessed day,
Amy

Anonymous said...

Where did you find that absolutely precious picture used in this post?

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

I found the picture at the link below. It is from a book called I'm Suzy.

This site has a lot of sweet pictures.

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

Woops...forgot to put the link!

http://www.flickr.com/groups/vintagechildrensbooks/

Jan said...

Wow Brenda, I have been reading through your blog and see God's grace shining though. As we grow older and the "expectations" of how it will be crumble God is STILL there and He both sustains and gives us joy. Great blog! Jan