I want to give a shout out to those of you joining us today by way of the Encouragement for Today devotion I have up over at Crosswalk.com and on our site at Proverbs 31.org. If you haven’t read it yet and watch to catch up with the rest of us, click here to do so. Don’t forget to come back and enter the giveaway!
Speaking of giveaway….let me tell you about it first. It is an organizational ‘basket-in-a-box’ centered around my book The Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized. In addition to the book, it includes:
* A 13 pocket, expandable accordion file
*Some funky, swirly, colorful, large paper clips
*A magnetic ‘to-do’ list pad
*A set of fun file folders to organize your papers
* A way cool plastic “tall grass” holder for your desk top designed to hold pens, pencils, scissors, etc
*And two packets of premium flavored hot cocoa–one chocolate hazelnut and one cinnamon chocolate– to sip and savor while you read and organize 
Just click on the form below to leave a comment on this post and you’ll be entered in the drawing. The winner will be announced Monday. Now……
To multi-task or not to multi-task?
That is the question.
The answer?
Yes.
And no.
We women are experts at multi-tasking. We can be talking on the phone, French braiding hair, cooking supper, helping a child with homework and nursing a baby….all at once.
Men?
They can change a light bulb.
But don’t you dare ask them a question while they are in the middle of changing that light bulb because they’ll have to stop their twisting motion in order to answer you! 
(Okay….maybe I exaggerate just a little…)
A woman’s ability to multi-task can be both a blessing and a curse.
It can be beneficial during on those days we need to get more done in less time. And it can be detrimental when it detracts from something important that requires our focused attention.
For example….being on hold with the insurance company while sorting laundry?
Good.
Trying to paint your nails while a crying teen pours her heart out to you about a friend who hurt her?
Not so good.
Cleaning the bathroom while you supervise your toddler as he plays and splashes in the tub?
Good.
Typing away on the computer and checking email while your friend on the other end of the phone tells you her husband is divorcing her?
Not so good.
Yep, multi-tasking can be great! (And let’s see if any of you can beat one of my friend’s best records. One day I called her and discovered she was talking on the phone to me, bleaching her teeth, giving her son a spelling test and bouncing on the mini-tramp for exercise all at once!)
But multi-tasking is not wise when there are actual living, breathing people who need our attention. People with needs. And feelings.
At those times, perhaps we should fight that innate urge to multi-task.
And, on a grander scale, we must fight the urge to multi-task by taking on too many responsibilities outside of our four walls; by saying ‘yes’ to numerous commitments we really don’t feel called to but are afraid to say no to; by wearing too many hats at church, school or in the community in an attempt to be the 2010 version of Super Woman.
Nearly did me in a few years ago.
Then I heard a few statements that helped me to sort through my over-committed schedule and scrape off my too-full plate. They are:
- Beware of the barrenness of a busy life.
- Don’t take on more than you can pray for.
- If Satan can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy.
The first comment I read in a book over 20 years ago, although I don’t remember which book! I actually have that phrase printed above the signature line of our checks as a constant reminder. The busy life isn’t full and rewarding. It is barren. Empty.
The second comment was spoken by my friend Becky Glenn at a Hearts at Home conference many years ago. So wise! If you can’t commit to praying for the all of the responsibilities, situations and people that will go with the new task at hand, then say no.
And the third I’ve heard many places and it really is a clever trick of the enemy. Bad? We good Bible study gals know more than to be bad? But busy? Yep! We fall for that one every time. The truth is, both bad and busy render us ineffective for service to Christ.
Well, cyber sister, how about you? Where do you rank on the multi-tasking scale?
Are you tempered and balanced, with enough white space on your calendar and in your day to keep you sane and connected with God and with those you love?
Or are you on activity overload, constantly playing catch-up as you run George Jetson-style on the busyness treadmill of life?
Or are you somewhere smack dab in between?
Does one of the three statements above jump out at you? Why?
Hop on and join the discussion today. By doing so, you will be entered in the drawing for the giveaway. However, if you are too busy to write out a comment, then simply say “I’m in!”. You’ll still be entered.
If that is all the time you have today…no problem! You are either too busy and you need to do some plate scraping yourself (don’t worry…I too am fixin’ to do a little plate scraping real soon)….or someone needs your attention right now, so you are being careful not to multi-task when you shouldn’t. Bravo!
Comments?
Plate-scraping Blessings,
I just had my 5th child in Oct. and one of the most important things I have learned through having a large family is that our family and home is my first and most important priority. And even though I love to help run bible study small groups or volunteer to be on worthy committees, I’ve had to learn to say no to church activities that add stress at this stage of life. Right now my children are 6,5,3, 22 months and 3 months old and eventually, I’ll have more time to spend on things outside the home, but right now is not the time. That part I have figured out, the organization thing I’m still working on, so I’d love to win the giveaway! Thanks so much for this great reminder both in the devotion and on your blog! Blessings!
Thanks for the reminder that we need to slow down. As a working mom of 2, I never feel like I have enough time in the day to do everything. I always get distracted by the list of things I need to accomplish before I lay my head down for the night that I tend to rush through things and not thoroughly enjoy the little time I get to spend with my kids.
I recently felt burn-out for the first time, after taking on too many musical projects prior to Christmas. I had to pull back from all of my commitments, as I had lost interest in everything I loved doing, even serving the Lord with my music ministry.
I have re-grouped and now I look out for my needs and watch out for my desire to do-it-all. Sometimes you just have to say no.
Now if I could only get organized! My home office is a mess, and I still have Christmas ornaments on the kitchen counter! I try to do one project, one day-at-a-time, but everything is such a mess. I sure could use LOTS of help in that area!
Prioritizing is important. Bible study first, or it doesn’t happen at all. Quiet time, and time with the Lord must be planned. And eye contact with a loved one is so important. We cram so much into every second, but we need to pause when they need to talk to us.
I don’t normally do this, but my daughter, Bethany(age 10) just wrote something that I posted on my blog. I’m asking that you take a look at it and leave a comment to give her some encouragement. She was very nervous, but took a big leap because I asked her to. Please help me boost her confidence in sharing what God is speaking to her heart. Thanks!!!!!
Obedience… a ten year olds perspective.
My youngest child entered kindergarten this year and everyone keeps asking me what I’m doing now since I must have more free time than ever. Well, let me tell you. People keep finding things for me to do. I wear many hats as a Mom already and I made a list of all the other hats I wear as you suggested. I’m sure I’m leaving something off, but I counted seven church activities that I’m involved in. I haven’t been to Sunday School in the past few weeks because I was asked to be on the Sunday School Teacher substitute list and I said yes, so I keep getting called. I go to Bible study on Tues. mornings, so that’s my therapy. Making a list of all the things that keep me busy really opened my eyes as there are some activities and responsibilities that I shouldn’t have said yes to. All this busyness takes away from what I should really be doing and what God has called me to do. Thanks for helping me see what I was too busy to see.
The email from Proverbs31 Devotional today was very timely. I have had this sinking feeling for the last couple of weeks. I’m trying to do everything all at once so I’m not doing anything well. I am short with my children for silly things.
Thank you for the reminder. As I’ve been struggling with my personal relationship with God, the last statement really hit home. If Satan can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy. – That’s me right now!
thanks for your devotion today. what an excellent one.
Right now I’m somewhere in the middle, but only because of a recent plate scraping and re-evaluation of what I want to be doing. I’m actually looking for something else to get involved in, but haven’t found the right thing yet. Wierd I know. But last year I was overwhelmed with busyness and it was a horrible, stressful year. I don’t want it back!
Ug … this classifies me for sure!!!
In my effort to multi-task, I end up jumping from task to task without completing what I initially set out to do. My day is gone before I know it and I end up with a bigger mess than I started with. I love the verse in today’s P31 devotion about my times being in the Lord’s hands. Even though I struggle, my times are in His hands, and He has equipped me to overcome! Trusting in the Lord, I will get done what needs to be done!
Wow, can I relate to all three of those points to ponder. I have difficulty balancing the multi-tasking thing. I take on way too much to pray over! Great post to get me thinking about becoming more balanced to be better at a few things ordained by God than many tempted and thrown at me by Satan.
“Satan can’t make you bad…he’ll make you busy!” Wow! That is so true about me. I finally figured it out last year that I had too many unnecessary irons in my fire! I was forgetting the important things. Too many things to do was making me wonder if I was in the early stages of Alzheimers. My family would tell me about something and I could swear they were lying when they told me about it again and told me that they had told me about it. I was getting defensive and no fun to be around! This year I have made the choice to NOT say yes to anything that won’t enrich the life of my family and glorify God in doing so. Multi-tasking is great! I’m glad I can do it but, within limits!
What a great reminder! I’ve really been convicted lately that I’m spending too much time on the computer, facebook, texting, etc. I’m sacrificing true family time for all of the “staying connected” that technology can bring. Thanks for this article!
yes I have been feeling overwelmed of late with a drywall project that went very wrong but now thankfully is looking a lot better but the Lord has been prompting me there is no hurry and to just sit quietly before Him and He will make things go more smoothly. First things first.
The three points are very true. Thank you for sharing them.
I found out today my blood pressure was quite high so I have so motivation to slow down and think of what needs doing the most and just rest in Him about the rest
Yes Karen, you know the saying, “if you want help to get something done, ask the BUSY person” I am the busy person but I am trying very hard to make my business for the Lord. As you know, I am starting a new bible study to guide me and have been “scrapping my plate” and keeping my Lord and family first, not work or children activities. Thank you for this message as I need them routinely brought before me to stop and think am I doing TOO much.
Very timely message. As my nest is emptying, (still have one 16 year old birdie flapping her wings) I have been made busy with my work life right now. You CAN become an ineffective Christ follower and priorities misplaced with anything. The economy and life circumstances have led us to decisions which seemed right at the moment. Unfortunately sometimes a crisis brings you back to reality. The business of working several jobs to compensate for my husbands income loss has weakened all of my relationships. Despite this,God has been faithful. Now with consistent prayer, fellowship and the word I once again am seeing and feeling HIS mercy, HIS timing and how all things work together for our good.
I couldn’t find the place to enter the give away most likely because i was doing exactly what your blog teaches!
Great reminder to slow down, prioritize, and give the reigns back to the Holy Spirit.
May our glorious God remind each of us that He wants our fellowship and time to be His first!
Because of His Great Love,
jan
Timely message for me – have been recently feeling tempted to take on more and hadn’t really thought about praying about that specifically. Thanks!
I appreciate this today. I am trying to stop multitasking as much. I am changing roles so I can have more boundaries around my time. I thought I was busy when my kids were little but as my oldest will be in high school and youngest in jr. high next year I am quickly seeing that these are busy times. I need to stop what I am doing and look at my kids when they are talking to me. I want to be proactive not reactive to them and what they are involved in.
“If Satan can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy.” I’d actually never heard this one before. It smacked me upside the head when I read it. You’re right. Satan can’t make me bad, but–boy, oh, boy–has he ever made me busy! So busy that I feel burned out. So busy that I can never catch up on anything. So busy that I’m constantly stressed out. So busy that I can’t be an effective servant of God. Thanks for the somewhat painful, yet desperately needed, wake up call!
What a powerful statement. Satan is very good at keeping us busy….and also keeping us distracted from what is most important. I must make that part of my morning prayer time/requests for the day. Lord keep me focused on what is important to YOU!!!
So true! I have been praying for direction on what to scrape from my plate this month. TLove the quote regarding satan making us busy. Thanks for your blog!!
Heather
I love the bad/busy quote!
I’m somewhere in between right now. I’m good at multitasking but sometimes do it at the wrong times. I’m in a bit of a slow period right now, which I really enjoy. I’m hoping to learn how to keep it all balanced when life picks up again next fall!
Thank you for your confirmation that busyness is the enemy! Wow, I am in a time of testing right now concerning that very issue.
God is so good to give us just what we need at the right moment.
Bless you and thanks!
Karen, I always so enjoy your words! I am a SAHM of almost 4! (Another month to go!) I don’t know how moms go back to work. I can’t get everything done being home with the kids all day!
I used to be the “I will do anything if asked” person, but I have definitely learned to say no over the years. Unfortunately, church is still the hard one for me. First of all, it’s CHURCH! Second, our church is tiny and I always feel like, “If I say no, who else can do it?” I struggle with this a lot. I’m getting better though! My desk organization at home though is my HUGEST struggling point, so this basket would be so helpful! Thanks again!
I forwarded the P31 email to several friends today. I think I relate most with 2 and 3. I do tend to take on more than I should and that means my family misses out which makes me feel bad.
Trying to clean my plate and just put the good stuff on it.
I’ve definitely battled the too busy syndrome. I’ve recently had a plate-scraping myself and am enjoying the down time. Now I’m in a holding pattern trying to figure out what the LORD wants to put on my plate – lots of ‘thingsto do’ have poured in but I’m not so sure they are where I am supposed to be. Waitingl patiently on the Lord – so hard to do!
I really think that God finds ways to remind us of our busyness, but are we listening? When we don’t listen to God and His subtle, gentle ways, I believe He finds a way to make us sit up and take notice….almost like He is saying “I’ve tried telling you to slow down. You aren’t listening, so I guess I’ll have to make you.” Funny how God works.
I need to know when to say no… all my busyness is for good- but if I am not able to devote myself fully am I really doing the programs any justice.. I pray the Lord will show me what He wants..
I feel like I meet myself coming in the door each day as I’m trying to go out! It’s a vicious never ending cycle & it seems some things just never get done even though I feel like I’m doing everything! So true what others have said about satan keeping us busy. Thanks for this post today!
thanks for the wise words, karen! i was driving my husband nuts today with my multi-tasking and self-induced pressure. stumbled on your devotion at crosswalk and feel really blessed to have found you. i needed to hear these words today and yes… i do need to do some plate scraping in a big way. let’s pray that after i do, the tears will be less and my resting and trusting in the Lord will be more.
Yup – I’m too busy – I’ve gone up and down with this problem over the years, and just when I thought I had it conquered, the economy went berserk and now I’m busy trying to help make ends meet while holding down up to four part-time jobs at once while still taking care of my family. The people matter most, so that is part of my organization problem. I do my paid work, and take care of the kids – but the house is going to pot. I’m in, Karen.
I am so in!
Wow! You are speaking to me. I spend my time trying to let go of what I can to devote more time to my husband and 4 kids but never get it all done. I would love to learn to scrape my plate.
I’m in – as I get off the computer to put my kids to bed. I can’t remember the last time I sat down to read my Bible.
Thanks for your devotion. I think it is always a good thing to evaluate all that is on your plate to see if something can be removed. I’d love to win your organizational book!
Blessings
Leslie
Wow! This seems to be a big problem for all of us! I thought I woas the only one who paniced because I was on overload. I think I’m going to buy your book soon, so I can get my life back on track!
I so struggle with this over tasking myself and this week I have been feeling particularly overwhelmed by life and all that comes with it. I am a full time mom and a student in my final semester of school. I am doing an internship and balancing that, sch work, 5 kids and a deployed husband is wearing me out. I have been helping out some friends too who are down too and it all has been too much. I have to remind myself its time to eat sometimes. I feel especially bad cause I don’t seem to be able to fit in my devotion time like i used to. i chose to sleep those extra few minutes because I am tired that I can’t fall asleep at night because my mind is still racing about all I have to do the next day or what I forgot to do that day. Your words came right on time for me, I feel that God is trying to get my attention and tell me that I have to let some things go so that I can always make time for him.
Thank you so much for this post. I just had my 4th child and feel so overwhelmed with all my responsibilities.
WOW!!! Was this ever a “GOD thing” that I stopped long enought to read this Proverbs31 article for today. I am struggling to get to bed, doing ONE MORE THING!!! Iwork PT as a nurse and tomorrow is my turn to work on a Saturday, at 7:00 am!! I was feeling frustrated in that I have been doing “stuff” all day and am still not ready t go to bed as I really need to!! I am feeling bad that I did not get the note of ncouragement written for a dear friend fighting cancer, or the house picked up ENOUGH?? for when my husband comes home from work late tonite and trying to put a care pkg, together for a grown daughter who lives by Chicago and has been ill, and etc. etc…..I really thought I was “BUSY” all day, WHAT DID I DO??” I looked for a receipt and the checkbook that I misplaced, and evenduallyfound!! I didnot find or take the time to get the pages done in my bible study book or read a few pages in a devotional I really like…..I think I am pretty good at taking care of my family , or am I?? I can’t seem to find time ENOUGH time with my Savior, and without Him, I really am not doing it right!! Oh my, I NEED to end this “comment”!!! Thanks so very much for these words, written for me I believe!!………….L.
Wow, I needed this wake up call today – I was actually driving, on the cell phone on hold with the Dr.’s office, helping my daughter in the back seat with homework question, but also mentally writing down my grocery list. Didn’t work so well, forgot one of the main ingredients……….I need to figure out how to scrape my plate!
Love the Website!!
I really appreciate the business reminder. The thing that hit me most is the multi-tasking. I do that so often at the expense of listening to my kids, husband or a friend. Thanks for the very important reminder.
I am ready to scrape my plate.
I feel like I am trying to do to much at once I need help to get organizational with college doctors bibleclass sunday school that I ask The Lord God to help Lorena
I recently signed up to receive the Prov. 31 devotions. I am so glad I did. The devotions I have read, and the blogs I have visited have been a source of encouragement for this momma
Thank you for your ministry.
How timely…I was just wishing a few hours ago for a chance to just NOT multi-task, maybe just once in a while. It was a hectic day at work followed by four children eager to share their days, while I made dinner and made sure one of my girls got her bath in and I changed my clothes. I’m not sure how much organization can help, but I’m willing to try
I’m In!
And thank you for understanding! (Heard about the drawing thru Proverbs 31 Encouragement for Today email)
I read your blog this morning as normal but was torn about what to put in the comments. How could I type “all three speak to me” and not sound like loser? This is the doubt that Renee Swope has been speaking about on her blog. But honestly all three do speak to me.
I am recently seperated, working two jobs in order to have a place to live and still trying to do all those things I did in “married” life that made others happy. Busy is barren and I realize now that my “schedule” is pushing God away.
I started a prayer journal this year and your second comment smacked me in the face. I would need a whole page to pray for everything that I involve myself in.
This realization of over scheduling led to me to understand your third statement. This is Satan’s way of keeping me away from my Savior. I am so SCHEDULED that I don’t have time for God’s plans.
Thank you for the eye opener.
Blessings
Jessica
Thank you for sharing this information with us. I am guilty of multitasking to the point of being overwhelming me. It usually just sneaks up on me. I have be trying to get things organized and stay that way for the past couple of years. Fly Lady has been a great help. If I would stick with the plan! I know it helps to have the plan. I am just not very good at the good habit thing. I know it only takes 30 days to start a habit, but I can break that habit in a day!! Anyway thank you for following the leading of the Lord and sharing your wisdom with us! God bless!
I started the new year attempting to get organized. The devotion today taught me to beware of spending too much time on a daily basis getting organized. I need to be more balanced in my day and spend time with God so that I will be able to hear His voice and grow in my walk with Him. Also so I will know what, when, and where I should volunteer my time for his kingdom. I’m interested in any organizational help I can get!
Multitasking right now….right up until I fall into bed, I am ashamed to say.
I desperately crave balance and sleep, but with three little ones I don’t think i’ll achieve either anytime soon…at least not by my own strength. Thank you for your words of wisdom today, Karen.
Cathy Dickey in the snowy Ozarks