Sometimes life comes so fast and furious that I just wanna say:
Skip Me, God. Pretty please, with sugar on top.
Recently, my hubby and teen were sick-sick at the same time. They felt absolutely awful, with fever, congestion, aches . . . the works.
As I jumped into care mode, I was already on heavy work deadlines. And, I was watching the calendar, which included travel to write as part of a team.
My heart was being tugged from at least two sides — being there for my guys to care for them, and being there for the team to ensure a job well done. And in the process, covering our busy first grader and keeping myself healthy.
One of my Love Languages is Acts of Service, so naturally I went full-steam into “I Got Y’all” mode. I was a masked-up blur of constant activity . . . caring for my hubby (“Hey babe, more hot lemon tea?”), checking on our teen (“More applesauce, sweetie?), playing with ALL the dinosaurs on the floor with little guy (at least 30 and counting), and writing in between. I could list way more details, but won’t.
Here’s the thing: God made me more like Martha than Mary a long time ago. I’m a doer who leads from the heart, sprinkling heavy doses of care on those I love and adore. So, my heart stays ready, with my mind and hands never far behind to do what needs to be done. Pour the tea. Check the forehead. Battle the T-Rex (who never, ever loses).
Seven days into Sick Week, Nurse Karin was exhausted. My guys were still on the mend, and I could not travel until my guys were better. Frustration and fatigue were double-teaming me. After a week+ of ducking and weaving, sticking and moving, I whispered in exhaustion:
You can just skip me, Lord. Really, it’s okay. I don’t have to have the pile-on of ALL the things at one time. ‘Kay?
And then, I recalled so many pile-on moments that have come and gone before. How God has always provided what I’ve needed in those moments. And, in that moment, my thankful heart gushed:
Ohhhh, I get it.
YOU’VE got it, Lord.
Pile-ons remind me to run to You.
To remember You’re still here,
and You’ve got me and my people.
To remember to trust You
and thank You
in the middle of it all,
for keeping us all.
Friend, life can bring us a lot-lot. Not gonna pretend otherwise or sugarcoat that. And when it does, I hope you’ll breathe deeply, treat yourself gently, and feel reassured that God is always with us (Joshua 1:9).
We’re not walking the hard parts of life alone. God is right there with you and with me, each step of the way. He’s always got us. And, whatever comes our way, He’s always got next.
Tag, You’re It:
When have you experienced “Skip Me, God” moments, too?
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