“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Colossians 3:23

I have been told that I am a pretty great multitasker. There was a time when I took great pride in this. The ability to make supper, quick flip laundry, clean up the living room while supper is cooking, help kids with their homework, and set the table in one moment of time was something that made me feel good. I had accomplished my job for the day and was ready for whatever tomorrow would bring.! I was able to sit and relax because everything was in its place. But did I really focus on my child after I asked them how their day was? How about my husband? In all of my multitasking, was I able to stop and focus on the important things in life? Where were my priorities in the busyness of life and raising children?

Taking a step back and realizing the important connections I was missing during my moments of multitasking was hard. My ability to multitask was at the expense of being able to focus on what is really important. It is easy to get caught up in the crazy pace of life; to have everything look just right, or to say yes to everything you are asked to do. This creates the pressure to multitask. But why are we doing these things? Are we doing them for others or are we doing them for the Lord? Is our heart in the right place with each task?

At the end of the day, is it more important that we fold that last load of laundry or sit and talk with our children about their day with the attention and focus they deserve? The laundry will still be there tomorrow, but will our children be as willing to talk about their day tomorrow? The tasks we choose to do should be ones where our hearts can be in the right place and we can give it our full attention. To make this work,. it is okay to say no to something, it is OK to leave the mess on the table, it is OK to take a moment for ourselves and our own well-being,  Jim Elliot, a missionary committed to bringing Jesus to the lives of the Waodoni tribe in the thick jungles of Ecuador once said, “Wherever you are, be all there.” This is my challenge to you!

Prayer: Dear God, Please help me take moments in this day to realize your blessings and not take advantage of them. Help me focus on what is important in this life and pour my heart into that. Help me be patient and just be. Amen.