Never once in Scripture does God ask us to do it all. So why do we demand it of ourselves, or others? On the contrary, God wants us to let Him do it all. We all have demands on our time during the day. Some are planned, some aren’t. Some are important, others really aren’t. Recognizing the difference takes wisdom.

I believe God allows people and circumstances into our lives in order to bless and shape us. Romans 8:28 says He works all things out for our good. Recognizing ultimate goodness from present circumstances, especially when they seem challenging or trying, takes a power and strength of faith that only comes from Him. Paul tells us in Philippians 4:11 learning to be content in and with all things is the key to our happiness. In other words, we can’t manage our circumstances by trying to do it all—we have to rest in contentment and trust.

I don't want to be so busy that I don't have time for the most important things in life. Click To Tweet

Have you ever had one of those days where you try to do so much, but nothing seems to get done right? What’s more important: a few things right, with the right mindset, or accomplishing many things, but with a spirit of frustration or impatience? When I stop to think about what I’m really teaching my children when I try to do it all, but with a terrible attitude, it convicts me to my core.

As a homeschooling mama, with a HUGE variety of curriculum available, and an endless list of projects dancing around my head, I constantly battle the temptation to get carried away accumulating new, exciting projects and materials. Of course, the desire to go overboard with education isn’t a bad thing. But sometimes the impulse to collect it all in the name of doing it all can backfire. Too much stuff, whether it’s physical stuff or a shiny list of to-do items, can cloud the ultimate purpose of learning. If God brings someone into my life, or allows a circumstance, He does it for His glory. It’s an opportunity to join Him in His work of loving this world; will I be too busy to even recognize it? Like the rabbi and the Pharisee in story of the Good Samaritan, will I rush on by? After all, I may tell myself, I have important things to do. But I don’t want to be so busy that I don’t have time for the most important things in life.

At the end of our lives, we won’t look back and be crushed that we didn’t finish that textbook. That we didn’t get every lesson of every day accomplished. However, we might look back and regret not taking that walk, or kissing that tear-stained face. Not holding their pain in our embrace, not taking the time to love. As 1 Corinthians 13 reminds us, love is the most important thing: “It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

Our greatest purpose is to bring Him glory. If we are too busy for that, what have we really accomplished? Click To Tweet

My prayer for myself, and all the other struggling moms out there, is that we will take the time to be available for God. Our greatest purpose is to bring Him glory. If we are too busy for that, what have we really accomplished? What have we done that is worth doing? The simple fact is no, we can’t do it all, but if we are faithful to love others, we have still answered our calling.