A long time favorite quote of mine is by Edward Everett Hale, “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.”
Honestly I don’t know much about the man. His beliefs, career, family life or accomplishments. But I do know his outlook. Similarly in Matthew 6:34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” I am only one person. There are many things that I want to do, can do, should do and need to do. Recently I have been face to face with this with my back being out for 3 weeks, trying to get everything done joyfully and with grace. Being stuck in bed in pain doesn’t leave very much room for the imagination. However, my heart is the same and my responsibilities and accountability are the same. Yes my abilities look different, but my responsibility remains. I still need to trust the Lord. I still should have a desire to be in the Word. I still have Madeline and another baby on the way. I still need to help and encourage Gavin. I still need to have a plan to be the keeper of the home.
Being injured was a good reminder of all of the things that I need to do that I couldn’t. Now feeling all better I am confronted with all of the things I want to do and shouldn’t, because I still need to do the things I need to do; my primary responsibilities.
Life is amazing how fast it changes. My life has changed so much in the last 2 years and I am so thankful for everything the Lord has brought into my life. The Lord has lavished our life and home with grace, peace, joy and worship. We are so thankful for the ability to have children, be involved in our church and communities, have our family and friends live close. We are thankful for the ability to work and make money and have good insurance to protect us.
I love my life. Even as it changes rapidly. There are parts of previous seasons of my life that I miss tremendously and there are things to come in future seasons that I am so excited for. It feels like a constant tug of war, give and take. Just because I used to do something to the glory of God doesn’t mean that it is appropriate for me to do now to the glory of God. Simply because my life is different from it was and will continue to be so. I guess part of what I love is that it does and can change so quickly without me knowing or expecting it. It is all an adjustment. But while I have the desire to do everything all the time and bring all of my ideas to fruition all the time, I am encouraged and challenged to enjoy the day that the Lord has given me. There are many things I can do, want to do, and maybe some day will do. There are many things that I need to do consistently. There are somethings that I should put off and walk away from. There are dreams flooding in that need to be taken captive. Because really there is only one thing. Worship the Lord and love His Word. And that is my responsibility, everything else will fall in place.
