My alarm goes off, my feet hit the floor and I’m off.  Usually at the speed of run and catch-up.  There are days where I’m pretty sure I meet myself coming and going.

As a mom, even one who “only” works part time, I’m busy.  There is always, always work to be done.  A friend may ask if I’ve finished all my work for the day and I laugh.

Because every mom knows the work never ends in a busy household.  There’s never going to be a day in which the laundry is caught up completely, no one needs any more food, all the supplies are 100% stocked, the piano is fully practiced, the cats are fed and cleaned up after, the homework is complete, the papers are signed, the cars have gas and I’ve peacefully spent enough time in my Savior’s presence.

Perfect doesn’t exist and work must be done.  It has it’s place and in this life, it’s reality.

But work can steal from us if we’re not careful.  It influences how we spend our time, our attitudes and even our finances.  If I’m not careful I can find my attitude towards my responsibilities becoming increasingly negative.

Even my work for the Lord.

Ouch.  But it’s true.  We can get to that place, can’t we?  It might mean we’re overcommitted with things at church; things that are all very good and truly important but perhaps not ALL things we need to take on as individuals.  And in our own personal walk, there are times when our quiet times are noisy due to the speed of life and our scripture reading ends up being one more block of time checked off our already overwhelmed to-do list.

Oswald Chambers says it this way:

“The greatest competitor of true devotion to Jesus is the service we do for him.  It is easier to serve than to pour out our lives completely for Him.”

These words are powerful, largely because they are ridiculously true.  It’s a whole lot easier for me to sign up for many responsibilities within our church than it is for me to get quiet, prioritize my time and get gut-level honest with Jesus.  I dislike admitting that, but there are seasons where I recognize how true it is.

When my to-do list is as long as my arm with work and chores that threaten to undo me, it’s a sure sign that my work/life balance is out of whack.  And when I’m feeling overwhelmed and out of sorts, the best place to go is to the foot of the cross.  And then, in that space of quiet moments spent with my Savior, I find rest.

This post is written in conjunction with the #Write31days Challenge and linked up with Kate Motaung’s Five Minute Friday crew here and Nester Smith’s friends here.