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’m definitely in! I need to slow down, take a few breaths and then finally get some sleep!! I am a full time student, a mom to a busy two year old and most of all a devoted Christian. I try to keep God first in my life, but sometimes my responsibilities just overload me and keep me so busy!! I need to find a way to balance everything and simplify! Thank you for this post it gave me some much needed encouragement.
Jennifer
I’m in. I’m a wife, mom of 3 (10, 6 and 2 months) and small business owner who is just starting to learn how to be still, trying to organize our chaotic home, and most of all trying to be committed to being fully present for these amazing people that God has brought into my life. I realize now that in my quest to have it all, more often than I’d like, I have left God out of the equation, not because I don’t want him there, but simply because the busy-ness of business crowds my dance card and fills the time slots. Your post in Encouragement resonated with me where I am at right now. Thank you for putting it into words.
hello, everyone..
I’m Zaza. Now I’m still in my second year in university in Japan. Although I know that 99% of the readers here are moms, I encouraged myself to leave my first comment here since the devotion this time was such a blessing for me. I’ve been active ever since I was born, I guess. ( sorry for a bit exaggerating.haha.) Anyway, especially when I came to Japan to further my study, I really want to maximize every potentials in my life. Although this may seem good, sometimes I forget what matters most in life. A friend of mine once said “Are you active or productive?” and I couldn’t answer his answer at that time. I knew that sometimes I just want to do as many activities as I can for myself, not for God.
I know that my busyness probably can’t be compared with moms. but i think It’s a good thing to start committing all of my activities to God as early as my age. I should prioritize what God prioritizes.
Thanks a lot, Karen, for sharing this, may God bless you all.
i think i suffer from a different type of multi-tasking…i start a lot of projects and don’t finish them. i start to clean the closet, i start to paint a picture, i start a specific study in the bible, i start to wash the dishes, i start a letter to my friend, worse than that, i buy cards to send to people and never send them. some of them are in the envelope with an address and a stamp and still sitting on the dresser! i’m not a finisher. it’s a different kind of stress but still stress but it kinda works in reverse. not doing things you need to do tires you out mentally which eventually tires you physically. when you are mentally tired you can’t physically do anything. when you multi-task you tire physically first. besides, not completing tasks that need to be done leads to clutter and we all know we can’t work in clutter. it’s like those weights that so easily beset us. they are all around you and everywhere you walk, something is in your way. God recently showed me that my lack of organization is a weight. i also have to learn to prioritize. i have to begin to lean more on the author and the FINISHER of my faith. BE BLESSED.
When we first started dating,my new husband bought me the most beautiful diamond bracelet for my birthday. I looked down at my arm on this past Monday–NO BRACELET! God had been telling me to remove the bracelet, get it fixed, put it in a safe place. I disregarded those warnings and now I’m besides myself! I haven’t been sleeping (hence this message at 5:37am Saturday morning). But God gave me the most wonderful 2nd husband! He sent 2 dozen red roses on Monday to my job to lift my spirits. He isn’t upset and I realize I need to focus, not on the bracelet, but on our relationship and his love for me. He ‘forgave’ me; why am I punishing myself? I am too blessed to be stressed about that bracelet. I keep repeating that in my head when all the if I coulda woulda shouldas enter my mind. Bless you all.
Hello! This was just what I needed! On Thursday, I was so tired that I had started to get irritated – at work, at home, at Bible study. Thanks to GOD, I was able to release that at Bible study praise and worship. This week I have gotten less sleep than I have in a long time, and I was so tired that I got sleepy every time I got in the car (and I have to drive at least 30 min to and from work and school – a long way for me).
I thank GOD that He is my strength! I focused on Isaiah 40 and Galations 6. Actually, the number of things my schedule has been decreased, yet I am still busy a lot. When I get so busy that everyday is straight through – work, after work activities, eat, sleep – I often get discouraged. That is why I understand how busyness can be a bad thing. While I am paid to multi-task at my job, multi-tasking in the personal and social areas in my life hinders my relationship with others and myself.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful information!
I am guilty of multi tasking! I do try and keep a balance, especially when it comes to the important stuff.
I recently have said no to a few things and I feel so free. It really is overwhelming to have every minute of every day filled so full you can’t even see the end of the day.
Saying no is the start, then using the time wisely is the next step. That is what I am working on now.
Thanks for your blog and your biblical application!
I’m in. For the last few years, I have been working on keeping my busyness at a managable level so that my husband and kids don’t pay a price. Recently, I have also been paying a lot of attention to diet and exercise, so I feel good when I’m not in bed.
I’m in! Business has been a battle for me pretty much as far back as I remember! I actually remember first realizing this when I was in high school juggling two jobs, leading worship for the youth group and church I attended, spending time with my boyfriend at that time (ha!) and one day school was closed for some reason I remember I unintentionally slept all day, I woke up with a few minutes to get ready for church that evening. I cried. I could NOT believe I waisted my only day off. Ha! I moved to Florida to pursue my Rockstar career with a band I was in at the time
five years later I am a working wife and mother to an amazing two month old little girl! (funny how God works sometimes!) I am actually guilty for breast feeding while reading this blog on my phone… (is that “good” or “bad” multitasking?! 
Things are so disorganized at home now that I have two babies. The way I used to keep house (before children) no longer works. I am constantly running from one thing to another and nothing is really getting done. I used to be a great multi tasker…at least I think I was.
Hi Karen! I love your writing – the plate scraping is a great analogy! I know personally I need to say NO more at church. I’m the Christian Ed Director and mom of two (ages 6 and 2). I take on so much that I’m multi-tasking and the kids lose out. Thank you for your blog and your insight. God bless!
I’m definitely in! This is something I feel I have always struggled with. The statement that stood out to me the most was statement 3 ” if satan can’t get me bad he will get me busy” man….. That feels so true in my life. I actually just wrote out a more detailed message with some history of why my life has been a battle of business, I’m trying to do this on my phone while breast feeding my amazing two month old blessing! (good or bad multitasking?? Ha!) In the midst somehow deleted my previous comment… I have to run off to work shortly but got a lot out of this! So thank you, thank you! I will pray for all of us multitaskers today!
<3
Ohh hahaha! I see they both posted! The words are so tiny on my phone I didn’t notice! Ha! just disregard one of those! Ha! Thanks! (I’m a dork)
I’m in! #3 really hit home – If Satan can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy.
When I look over my planner and see how busy I am – or how busy my kids are. I’m just amazed. I need to pray over our schedules. See what the Lord wants for us.
Thanks so much for this post. God has been working on me in this area for years it seems. We travel as a family w/husband’s job so we are home a while and on the road a while. Once we are home we are right back into the hectic pace of commitments with our church that we just love, hooking up with friends, getting the house in order and then when we are on the road life is so much simpler. Gone is the being pulled in many directions and being expected to be in so many places at once. When we are traveling, the focus is on the basics:food, laundry, schooling and trying to remember what we left home and what we thought we had in the camper. I still haven’t learned to say no and limit my commitments when we are home, I feel as if I have to make up for lost time, and usually by the 8 week mark I am ready to hit the road again. The kids are definitely more resilient than I but I am so grateful for the life lesson God is giving me first hand at how much closer I draw to Him when we are traveling. You see on the road, He is all I have, no friends or the barrenness of busyness to hide in, and our time is so much more precious. All I need is truly found in Him and I am so awed by Him.
Thanks so much for the gentle reminders of busyness and the priority of prayer.
I love reading your blog and devotionals and I love that I access it from anywhere in the country!
Yes, I am in as well. A friend just offered me a ministry position last night, to which I was too timid to say “no,” not wanting to hurt her feelings or our relationship. Reading your blog entry causes me to seriously consider the responsibility and pray God will help me say “no,” if it’s too much for me and my family. Thank you for allowing God to speak, through you, the importance of a simple, yet full life to women.
I think that your devotional was a gift from God this morning. Right now we are in the process of getting our house on the market so we can move to a whole new state. My husband is preparing to enter seminary so that we can start a whole new life. And I feel like I am being nudged to both – get organized, because I can never find my keys, or anything else for that matter, and learn to slow down – because I am used to living life at a break necked pace. I too have been physically hurt from too much stress and I am trying to change my ways – one day at a time. Thanks for sharing the importance of putting time with God in the number one spot on the to do list.
Blesings to you!
Wow–Thanks! This is so timely and needed for me. I’m a new mom and really struggling to find balance for us. Staying connected with others but also recognizing my need to stay sane. I really, really appreciate someone getting where I’m coming from!
It is so true that we feel the need to stay busy all the time. My daughter said something pretty profound to me last summer that really made me think. “Mom, we don’t know how to relax and be still.” Wow! I’ve tried to remember that and realize that I don’t need to have something to do every single minute of my day. Blessings to you for your Proverbs 31 ministry and this blog.
As a wife, mother of 2, full-time kindergarten teacher and a stage 4 cancer survivor I am definitely in! It is not in my nature to live in chaos. The young, full of energy mom I was 5 years ago is now replaced by a forced-to-be-in-menopause 36 year old! I’m thankful for each day God has given me, however, I know that there has to be an easier way…and I believe that is not in His plan for me to be so overwhelmed.
Two days ago my 5 year old and I went for a long walk in the woods. As we were heading out he got very exited and exclaimed “Mommy, we’re having alone time!” This was a strange comment to me because you see he and I are home “alone” together nearly every day. Apparently we are in the house together but with all of my multitasking, we are not “alone” together. OUCH!
I am definitely IN.
It is very interesting that I should stumble across this devotion today. I am concentrating and eliminating all that does not fit. I am spending this Saturday morning trying to clean up my email, make it more manageable. Planing my week, month, & year ahead and ensuring I put more focus on God’s will in my activities. My biggest problem is I have the greatest intentions and they last for the time I set aside and then I get back on the hamster wheel. I so need organization so I don’t so easily get distracted. Great devotional, God is so on time.
I need all the organizing help I can get! It’s just not one of my strong points! I also really appreciated your posts on wieghtloss Wednesday! I have verse on temptation in my pantry. I am just starting on this journey and it’s so encouraging to read of others success!
Thanks again!
i love this post along with the devotional for today! i especially like the “don’t do more than you can pray for” statement. i am going to start using that.
in addition, i plan to pay more attention when the kids are talking to me. i have to quit multitasking for their benefit. thanks so muich for your insight!
I’m in, too. I was recently asked to help out on a board at church. I prayed about it and did not receive an answer–so I said yes. Then I felt God saying, No, that is not what I want you to do right now. I had to call the head of Women’s Ministry and tell her I could not help out. It was a hard call to make but I knew that was God’s desire for me. Mulit tasking is good as long as no one gets hurt…
What a great blog! I found this from the Proverbs 31 daily devotion. (I hope it’s not too late to enter, I am always a day late reading the devotions due to my quiet time time.
) God was speaking out loud to me through this devotional and blog topic. I am a wife, mom, sister, daughter, employee, volunteer, and woman seeking God’s desire. I don’t want a lot on my plate (I have struggled for years with a stress-related medical condition also) although with many hats come many responsibilities. God is so good and His words are comforting to my heart. Along with my love for all things organizational, I love a good “bigger picture” reality check from my Lord and Savior. Thanks! -Shelby from Shreveport, LA
Thanks for sharing, Karen! While I am not yet a mother, I am a school teacher and often find that my intense multi-tasking at work carries over to my home life. I sometimes forget that when I come home, I only have three responsibilities: my Father, my husband, and myself. I forget that even though those 150 little ones need my attention all day long, once the school day is over, I am free to relax and enjoy the man God has given me, and attend to his needs out of love and respect. Thank you for helping me continue to follow God’s word, that He gives us those things which we can handle, and doesn’t ask us to say YES to everything!
Thank you Karen for your timely words. I’m not necessarily on overload yet…but oddly enough…I think that’s what I’m hoping for, crazy as that sounds. NOW, however, I am stopping and laughing at myself. We just moved and everything and everyone in my life is new…so my plate is rather empty…outside of trying to organize a new house and get a new routine for the family in place. But I’ve been trying to begin getting involved with other ladies through church, school and community events, etc…and have been hoping for more and more to do. After reading today’s devotion though…my mind has had to stop and take check to see…the white space created by the move is a blessing in disguise from God and I need to watch and make sure I don’t fill things up too fast or too much. Thank you for the reminder to keep first what, and Who, I need to and to protect the white space that is currently in my life! What a blessing! I’m definitely in!!! Enjoy your day! – DeAnna
I am constantly working on finding this balance…between healthy multitasking and unhealthy business. I know there is plenty of time for me to do all that matters, and it’s just about me clearing out the clutter, both physical and mental, in order to all me to set the right priorities. I’m in!
Thank you for that encouraging post from Proverbs 31! As a lady who takes on too much and then disappoints herself by not being able to do all of the tasks, I needed that reminder of busyness!
Count me in! And thank you for this! I struggle with perfectionism and with the mentality that I need to do many things well in order to be accepted and loved, by God and by others. I used to over-commit and then burn out, leaving people in the lurch. Then, I went the opposite direction and stopped doing anything. I know there is a middle ground. I just need to find it! God has been hammering me over the head with the need for godly discipline. One thing He is helping me with is finishing what I start. I have a terrible habit of trying to do too many home projects at once, getting overwhelmed, and then stopping altogether. As I said, I know there is a middle ground, and I am working with God to find it, one step at a time. Thank you for the encouragement! It is so good to know I am not alone in my struggles.
Praying to find the middle ground
Thank you! I was trying to figure out how to clean my home (picture my old refrigerator in the dining room, new refrigerator in the kitchen almost fitting into its destination but still awaiting my husband to cut down the cabinet overhead…LOL!), drive my daughter to tennis (25 minutes away in the snow), clean again (this house is wreck…can’t believe all that was on the fridge!, try to take said daughter to a birthday party this evening (30 minutes away…did I mention the snow?), have an outing with my friends from church, help my husband proofread an essay, and clean…all for today. I love life but definitely need to prioritize…help!
I feel like this post was a confirmation of what I’ve felt for some time! I slowly scraped over the last year and a half and still feel there is more to remove. Not only is it committments in my case but also clutter. I feel driven to get organized in both my space and mind. Funny how the two are related and one occupies physical space while the other is spiritual space I want to leave available work for God and allow him to work within me! I’m in and think the book will be of immense help. I need all I can gather
God bless your efforts!
I’m in… was too busy to get the email yesterday (does that say it all??) Alot has been taken off my plate but I do get caught up in the busyness! Thanks for your encouraging words!
I’m In!! Please enter me for the drawing. Thanks so much, God Bless.
Please enter me in the drawing. God recently increased my family size to 3 children. Now I have 2 tween girls. I’m going nuts. Transitions are especially hard and busyness has taken over. Very interested to have found your blog today. Thanks.
“If Satan can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy.” Whoa. That one stopped me in my tracks. That’s exactly what’s been going on in my life lately. Thank you for the reminder and the wonderful visual of the need for “plate scraping” in my life – and to let God be the one to decide what gets puts back on the plate. What a wonderful blessing to see God’s timing in this lesson! Thank you : )
I’m in. I have taken on too many church and work related activities. Finally my husband had to have a heart to heart discussion and inform me that I could not be everything to every person in our lives and to prioritize my life. Wise choice.
I really struggle with this as a mother of two, working a full time job and trying to keep up with my home. My husband is injured and can’t do much, and is therefore not working. I can barely stay afloat! Thanks for the message; I needed to hear it.
Number 3 really jumped out at me. I struggle with this so much!! I am 30 years old and have 4 children…. a 4 month old, 2 year old, 4 year old, and an 11 year old who I’ve started homeschooling for the first time this year. My dad was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in June and my mom has been disabled for several years now. I try to help out at church or with other people when I can, and often feel like I’m letting them or God down when I can’t “do it all”. I feel so overwhelmed most of the time, which leads to feelings of depression and irritability. I know those are not God’s thoughts….that is how Satan gets me!! One of my new year’s resolutions was to slow down and enjoy life (my kids and husband included) more. I keep feeling like everything would fall into place IF ONLY I could get my life organized, but I never seem to get to that point. I’m not a naturally organized person, and really struggle in this area. I pray this year will be the year all that changes!!
Beware of the barrenness of a busy life…only 8 words but such a huge message…Thanks for the warning…& the timely reminder…I will beware…more! I sure need this.
This is an awesome site…I rarely get online…just too busy so I avoid it alltogether but I have really enjoyed this!
Many Blessings to you Karen for what you do for women & I will be sharing this with my daughter who is a homeschool mom with 5 children ages 4 to 9 who call me “Mimi” (includes 4 year old twin girls)
“if Satan can’t make you bad he’ll make you busy”
Wow this hit me like a ton of bricks. Thank you so much for your words today. God really needed to speak this truth into my life. I too am one who finds it hard to say no. I realized today it’s out of my desire to be liked and please people. I’ve tried to fool myself into thinking it was to please God but my life right now has little time for Him, which isn’t pleasing or right!
Thank you for letting God speak through you and making me realize I need to find a way to let Him take the things that are just busyness and leave me room for really seeking Him and His will.
So true. Our church is doing a series called Margin. All the real living we do happens in the Margin – the extra time. It has really struck me how much we can miss out on in our business. Our pastor used #3 to communicate how being busy can have a negative impact on our livelihood. We have been snowed in for the past three days – and I have enjoyed it beyong belief!!!!!! I have not given so much praise to God in a long time. I am truly enjoying being forced to slow down. I just pray I can maintain it once the weather clears.
This is a very powerful blog topic. I pray it will impact many!!!!
Multitasking can be a blessing and a curse! I am guilty of not getting my priorities straight and trying to please more than doing what is right for me and my family.
Thanks for your message. We have been snowed in this weekend and it has been nice to slow down.
I am definitely in, spent this morning in prayer, still trying to recenter after a hectic week. I am doing some plate scraping now. Mainly, I see that I procrastinate since I am so exhausted from work and home responsibilities that I use the time and energy that I should be spending on those extra projects to worry about the fact that I haven’t done anything and it’s getting embarrassingly late to submit anything on them. Praying about what not to put back on the plate. But every-time I do this, I get a different answer…
I’m in. This is something I have been working on because I just recently started doing other things while I am talking on the phone and discovered that I am not very good at it. I wind up not doing either thing well!
I am definitely guilty of multi-tasking (not while I’m driving though, lol). I felt completely exhausted with the daily agenda on the calendar that I had to do something. So….I made white space on the calendar by not getting me and the kids involved in so much and just staying home and appreciating each other and the moments with the Lord. Thanks for your insight. Have a blessed day!