Standing at my kitchen sink, rinsing off plates and spraying down pots, rushing.
Hurrying.... because I still had a half dozen things left to do on my agenda list for the day, and the evening was approaching with speed.
As I scurried and panted through it all - I noticed other things undone and dirtied that needed tending...
The white kitchen floors.
The stains on the white kitchen sink.
The crumbs in every corner of the living room.
The dust on the bookshelves.
These things weren't even on the list - but needed my efforts, too.
Would you believe that I felt overwhelmed and weak and incapable?
Even after checking off line after line on my list already...
Even after schooling two elementary aged kids all morning, and wrangling the young third...
Even after completing not mounds of laundry, but mountains of it...
Even after cleaning bathrooms, and picking up all manner of things in the playroom, and preparing two meals with a dinner to come, and working out, and scribbling through emails, and tidying things...
Even after banging all this out alone for days....as the husband was extremely busy each day and eve - counseling, working, writing, officiating.
Yes.
Even after all that - I looked inward and felt disappointed that I couldn't accomplish everything more quickly, better, with more zeal, with more efficiency.
Never mind what I could do. Never mind what I had done.
It seemed all for not - because I couldn't tackle everything.
But then...
Standing there at my basin, water running over utensils and containers as I scrubbed off leftover contents with bare hands....
The whisper was low but sure....
Grace.
There is grace for you.
You can't do everything, remember.
You can't be everyone, you know.
Look at your efforts and be pleased and satisfied.
And let My grace cover you, child.
I wasn't even looking for it.
It just plopped itself right into my jabbing thoughts and ceased them.
I stopped the scrub for a moment, looked up from the sink, took a deep breath, and thought...
"Yeah. I'll do my best. And You cover the rest. Yes and amen."
It was a sweet, freeing moment for a tired, busy Mom.
Contentment reigned after that.
Friends, it's true that grace is given at no charge.
But let's keep at the forefront....
That this doesn't mean we should play that card all the time - pulling it out whenever we need an excuse for laziness, or deliberate sin, or unrighteousness.
God is always doing His part, even when we are not.
True.
But doesn't that make you want to work as if working for Him always?
Doesn't that make you want to give all, give your best, and walk out your role well?
And then leave all the rest for grace to cover?
Because we do fall short. Us women...we are good, but we aren't God.
We shouldn't expect ourselves to be.
This ministered so mightily to my soul in frail moments.
Thank you, Lord.
And this grace....it's yours too friend.
Let that wash over us all!...
And lead us to thanksgiving and wonder.
***************
P.S. Speaking of grace....I got the grand gift of being able to offer up a chapter for an e-book here recently.....where all the proceeds go to digging a well in Kenya for The Mercy House. Head over to Beauty Through Imperfection to read about the project. If you feel so led... head here to purchase your copy - and enjoy the words of lots of Mama's strewn there - knowing that you are providing water for those who very desperately need it. Hugs and high fives to you all. :)
