How to keep from yelling at Ann Voskamp

{Disclaimer: I wrote this last week, in a particularly weak moment, and was going to delete it but felt that perhaps, just perhaps, it might encourage someone today. The TRUTH did get my eyes back on Jesus and put me back on the right course. And, interestingly enough, a little e-book was birthed from all this… Enjoy!}

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Some days I want to yell at Ann Voskamp. (And I know that’s not appropriate.)

“I’m sorry, How DO you write books and homeschool 6 kids and run a farm and clean your house and speak to thousands of people and blog every day AND take pictures of it all and STAY SANE???”

I really didn’t mean to raise my voice.

But some days I can’t breathe. Between parenting, moving, church-planting, pastoring, speaking, writing, blogging, homeschooling … Oh and then there’s cooking, cleaning, organizing.

And I’m supposed to answer my phone too? And check my email?

And my feedreader is full of blog posts from Mamas doing Christmas crafts with their kids.

I’m sorry, Christmas crafts? 

My son’s birthday tomorrow will consist of a cheese pizza and Legos dumped on the dining room table. I dare say I probably won’t be posting pictures on Pinterest.

And every Publisher’s feedback has been the same: You need to build more of a platform. Get your name out there. Guest post. Tweet. Do giveaways. 

Giveaways?

The only thing I want to giveaway right now is my to-do list. Does that count? 

I was so encouraged a few weeks ago when I read one popular blogger say that she was taking a month-long break from writing in order to re-focus her heart and spend time with her kids. But I just clicked there again today and found 5 new posts since then, a completely new blog design, and a brand new book of hers released.

Really?

Does anyone rest?  

*sigh* Oh friends, I hope you never feel like this but just in case you do, let’s remind ourselves of the truth, shall we?

Truth: God has given us exactly the right amount of seconds in our day to accomplish exactly the things He wants us to accomplish.

Truth: We all have different sized milkshakes, different capacities for getting things done. Comparison kills.

Truth: Haste makes waste. (Thank you, Ann!) Jesus never ran and was never in a hurry. He walked this earth with measured steps and calm intentionality.

Truth: Pride pushes and pulls us, driving us on, the cruelest task-master. But gentle grace leads the humble, the life of God the steady source of fuel.

Truth: We have plenty. Though I always feel like I fall short, God has given each one of us plenty for today. I must believe that.

The truth is, I love Ann and all the other phenomenally gifted women out there who are inspiring us with their photos, words, and crafts. And most days I’m happily inspired. But sometimes I must just admit how overwhelmed I feel and take a step back, a deep breath, and maybe a couple ibuprofen, and remind myself  of the truth that sets me free.

Nothing is as important as your heart. So when it starts to turn bitter, sour, God must work His truth in there and fix your heart’s gaze back on Him. And while I’m sorry I vented those thoughts on you, sometimes we have to identify what the “yuck” is in order to let God wash it clean, amen?

Because I really don’t want to yell at Ann Voskamp. Or my husband, or my kids. None of us do, right? We want the life of God to fill us with His peace and give us grace for whatever’s on our plate.

One day–one breath–at a time, we must believe there’s plenty. 

I pray this can encourage you as you finish your week. Thanks for reading.

P.S., It’s kind of funny timing … TOMORROW we’re doing a special giveaway (ha!) for my FIRST e-book! After all my whining, the timing just so happened that God would birth a book entitled, Plenty, and that it would come out the day after this post. Sometimes you just have to laugh. Stay tuned for: