Multi-tasking Mayhem
“But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, ‘You are my God!’ My future is in your hands. Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly.” Psalm 31:14-15 (NLT)
“Mom, quick…look at that lady!” My fourteen-year-old son shouted as we were headed down the interstate on an errand-running Thursday afternoon. “She should not be doing that,” he added for emphasis.
I glanced over at the car next to us, expecting to see someone without her hands at the ten and two o’clock positions like my by-the-rulebook-boy does when training behind the wheel. Instead, I nearly ran off the road while gawking at what my Driver’s Ed patrolman had spotted.
Next to us was a woman cradling her cell phone on her right shoulder; holding an open fast-food salad container in her left hand; ripping open a salad dressing packet with her teeth and her right hand…all while steering her car with her knees!
What in the world!? My boys and I thought surely, if she kept up this multi-tasking method of driving, she was going to cause a crash.
“I would NEVER attempt to do all of that when I drive,” I smugly thought to myself. “Entirely too dangerous and probably against the law.” Yep, when it comes to being a safe-driving expert, the apple doesn’t fall far from the “Honey-you-didn’t-use-your-blinker-back-there” maternal tree.
It wasn’t until later that night it hit me. Yes, I may not dangerously multi-task when driving, thereby risking collision. But in my day-to-day life? In my schedule? In my “sure-I-can-take-on-one-more-responsibility-so-everyone-will-like-me” way? I sometimes dangerously multi-task to the point I am headed for a crash.
Taking on too many responsibilities, no matter how “good” they may be, can often render us ineffective for service to God. Yet, He knows our limits. He understands are capacities. He is willing, if we will ask Him, to help us navigate the busyness and activity that often trips us up.
On one of my so-busy-I-couldn’t-breathe days, I read today’s key verse. While I’m sure the author David was talking about actual physical enemies — men who could chase, catch and ultimately hurt you — I realized that day my enemy was busyness. Too many activities and responsibilities outside my four walls were about to do me in. They chased me, cornered me and worst of all, were about to go in for the kill.
Thankfully, God can rescue us from the barren life of busyness. He invites us to hold our too-full plates up to Him, allowing Him to scrape off all the activities and responsibilities. Then, place back on our plates only the items HE longs for us to possess.
When this happens, we can create space in our calendar to retreat, places of sweet respite in our days where we connect with God. Times when we slow down and sit still to listen and learn from the Creator of time itself.
So, how about it friend? Let’s both start scraping before we crash and burn!
Dear Lord, forgive me for allowing busyness to overtake my life, crowding out others and worst of all You. Help me as I purpose to place only those items on my plate that You long for me to have. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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
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!
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 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
I’m In! ;) And thank you for understanding! (Heard about the drawing thru Proverbs 31 Encouragement for Today email)
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 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.
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
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.
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!
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.
Thank you so much for this post. I just had my 4th child and feel so overwhelmed with all my responsibilities.
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.
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!
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
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.
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 am so in!
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.
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.
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!
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 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’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 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.