What Overwhelms You?

It was an early Saturday morning in the dead of winter.

I had six young, hungry children asking for breakfast and I'm pretty sure I hadn't slept a full night in about 10 years.  

My husband was training for his first full marathon, and he used Saturday mornings for his long runs.  On this particular day, I think he was running an insane 22 miles, which translates "He will be back after lunch and then be ready to sleep all afternoon."   For all you sporty type of people, you know that marathon training is truly a family commitment.  I was immensely proud of him, but also really missed having him around.

Exhaustion and loneliness had their claws in me on that frosty December morning.  Yes, it's possible to be lonely even while surrounded by all those little people.

As I assessed the Eggo situation in the freezer, I silently prayed, "Lord, if I have to make one more frozen waffle for these children by myself, I think I might go crazy."

And right there by the Frigidaire, God showed up.

Clearly, almost audibly, He whispered to me:

"Are you overwhelmed by your life 

or are you overwhelmed by My love?"

Immediately humbled, I was reminded how blessed I was.  I had six healthy children whom God had entrusted to me.  

I had a husband who loved me and would be coming home to me.

I had food in the refrigerator (...and on the table and on the floor and under the high chair pad and under the couch cushions and ground into the carpet and all over the van....).  

In the abundance of all that God had given me, I had become overwhelmed with the demands of the temporary situation and forgotten to give thanks for all His goodness. The answer for all my discouragement, frustration and loneliness was to keep my eyes fixed on Him and let Him wash me with His love.    

So, what overwhelms you?  No matter what your life holds in this moment--whether it be sickness, loneliness, depression, exhaustion, not enough time, not enough money, not enough help--the solution is found in Jesus.  In the very midst of the daily grind, His love is enough for you.