I know I'm not the only person who feels at the end of the day that I've run out of time before I've run out of tasks. It occurred to me in the last few days, that God is completely aware of how much time I have, and He knows what I am capable of doing. Since He always has my good in mind, I must conclude:

I have enough time in each day to do the things He's assigned to me.

That's a powerful statement. Is everything I'm trying to "get done" something He's assigned to me? Could or should someone else be responsible for things? Have I said yes to things that are good, but not good for me, keeping from great. During the first part of the school year I determined to throw myself into volunteering. Coming out of summer I felt like I was not using my time as wisely as I should, so during the first part of the school year I determined to throw myself into volunteering.

Can you help at the library? Sure.
Are you coming back to choir? Yes.
Should I help with the youth? Well...
You should join this team with your husband so you're in unity. Ouch, below the belt.
You're going street evangelizing with us right? Umm...
We could use some help with Angel Tree...
Haven't seen you at the weekly meeting for a while...

Here is my advice to myself and anyone else feeling overwhelmed with "shoulds".

1) Put the big rocks in first. Your life is like a gallon jar. You have big rocks, small rocks, pebbles and sand that must go in the jar. If you start with the sand, the big rocks will never fit. Big rocks are the foundational principles that direct your life. Sand is the sometimes annoying, but necessary daily tasks that must be done like doing your hair, filling the gas tank, mowing the yard.

2) Find out from Abba Father, not your neighbor or your friends, what big rocks He wants in your jar. God made us unique for a purpose. Well meaning people can lay "shoulds" at your doorstep that don't belong to you. Spend time with the Father and listen to Him.

3) Have courage to say no to things that don't belong in your jar, and be disciplined and faithful in things that do belong in your jar. Once the big rocks are in the jar, you can determine which small rocks and pebbles - supporting goals and actions - should be in the jar. Finally, pour the sand on top, shake it down, and pour again. If all the sand doesn't fit...delegate. I can't delegate my prayer time, but I can delegate mowing the yard or filling the car with gas.