3 Steps to Balance the Daily Grind with Eternal Works

As a stay-at-home mom and writer, the pressures of this world’s duties tug at my pant leg while I desire to be doing eternal things. Laundry doesn’t seem to hold heavenly weight, yet it must get done. I know, I can pray for each person whose socks I fold, but I’d rather be writing a Bible study. I’ve always related to Mary more than Martha, not because I’m holy, but because I’d rather pray and read my Bible than mop the floor and dust.

After making a hourly chore schedule a few weeks ago, I realized I’m not able to live that way. It’s not my personality. I was exhausted–productive maybe but joyless in the process. A friend of mine loves to make lists. She color codes them! I find that takes too much time. (Smile.) But that’s how she rolls.

I love to multi-task and be productive, but I’ve learned to choose only one or two things to accomplish as the day allows. No list is necessary though I do  have a whiteboard where I write goals for the week or day. I like to erase them when I’m done. But…

I want to live by the Spirit not my “to do” list.

I don’t want to get to heaven and God say, “Well…your house was immaculate, everyone in your family always had clean underwear, and you never ran out of milk, but you did not love your neighbor.”

I don’t think I’m alone in this quandary. So, here’s my steps to help balance the mundane (aka: household chores/work/errands) with the eternal purposes.

1. Pray. Ask God to order your day first thing in the morning. (I like getting on my knees.)
2. Choose one or two things that MUST get done today. (Such as: going to the  grocery, doing laundry, or cleaning the bathroom before it grows legs and runs away.)
3. Plan to bless one person today. (Make a phone call, visit a neighbor, speak to that homeless person you see on your way to work every day, ___________(you fill in the blank.) Shake things up. Do a little bit of both–the mundane and the eternal.

I feel a prayer coming on for us. That’s a prerequisite to finding balance. Will you pray with me?

“Dear Lord, There is so much to do. How will it ever get done? Please don’t let us miss the eternal jobs  because of our frantic haste to accomplish the mundane. We know Your priorities are different from our human ones. Grant us discernment. Slow. Us. Down. Don’t let us move into action until we’ve heard from You. Amen.”

How do you find the balance?

Much grace and peace,

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