I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? Jeremiah 32:27 (NIV)
“I’m so swamped!”
I know I’m not the only one who’s heard this. Definitely not the only one who’s admitted it.
But having gotten this response from folks a few too many times over the course of several months, I’ve come to the conclusion…
We’re all too swamped.
And we’re all too swamped.
Think about it.
When spring emerges, there are ball games, Easter events, graduation. Ask someone to give you a hand and it’s, “I would but, I’m so swamped.”
Summer months? Forget it. Everyone’s on vacay.
But then, fall arrives. Ah. Coming up for air, right? Kids are back in school, things will settle down. Finally, just maybe, I’ll no longer be swamped.
Wrong. With fall comes fall festivals, trips to apple orchards, pumpkin carving, and the annual Trunk or Treat to plan and attend.
And months before, this conscientious observer has already recognized Hobby Lobby’s jump start on Thanksgiving and Christmas decor encroaching on the brilliant array of red, white, and blue.
That means Thanksgiving prep, gift giving, cookie exchanges, outreach ministry opportunities are on the horizon.
Swamped!
I dare say, if you’re not swamped as the holiday season arrives you might be lying or possibly dead. Maybe drowned in that swamp?
When I’m swamped, it’s because, at some point, I’ve chosen to step into the murky, sinking waters of busyness and am no good to you or anyone else.
Uh, do what for you? Sorry, I’m so (all together now…) swamped.
Last time a significant request of mine was met with a respectful decline because she was “swamped”, I let it sting a little, then inclined my heart and mind to a blessed truth:
God is not swamped.
Never was. Never will be.
We have a faithful and true Savior Who cares enough to know (and keep a running total of) the number of hairs on our head (Luke 12:7) while maintaining sovereign control over all things and Who holds all things together in Christ. (Colossians 1:17)
While I may be sloshing around in the swamp of my own making, gasping for mental air, the weight of anxiety in my body, God is ever-present in my -and your- time of need.
He’s never short of breath or too busy or distracted or unavailable.
He’s never swamped.
Fact is, my requests originates with Him. He’s waiting for me to ask and has His answer -and the date of delivery- already prepared.
Thanks for stopping by! I’d love to know your thoughts.
Mary
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✏️ Two of my 2019 inspirational articles that were published in Refresh, Online Bible Study Magazine, are featured in this 40 short Bible studies compilation, The Power to Make a Difference Available on Amazon.