When You Can’t Get It All Done

“Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.””

Matthew 9:35-38 NKJV

Spring is that time of the year— the Biblical New Year— when things begin to pick up pace after what seems like a long, sleepy winter.

Holy days quickly approach (sometimes faster than we can get ready), your garden is ready for tending and plowing and planting, and here comes that long awaited spring cleaning. 

It can be a busy time. But then again, when is life as a homemaker, Mom or  wife not busy?

I was reading the Scripture one evening after an excruciatingly tiresome day: fussy baby, loads of laundry, on my feet all day with little sleep in the tank. The Holy Spirit led me to Matthew 9:35-38, where Yahusha appears to realize he needs… help.

In that moment, it resonated with me. I’m not going to lie, at times it’s difficult for me to relate to Yahusha because he is generally deified. To the point where we forget that he was actually a human being made of flesh and bones, from the same soil as you and I. 

But when I read him appear to get overwhelmed, and tell his disciples to pray for more hands on deck… I just thought to myself: “Felt!!!!”

Homemaking is exactly what I want to do with my life. And I can sit here and act like it’s sourdough and wildflowers and pretty dresses all day every day, but that’s not the reality I live in. I suspect it’s not your (daily) reality either, dear readeress.

There was once this quietude that blanketed life over the last few months. It was cold, often cloudy, and snowed a lot here in Virginia. We stayed inside where it was warm, drank hot cocoa, wrapped ourselves in blankets, and cuddled a ton.

Life was just slow.

Now that it’s warming up and birds are singing and bees are buzzing and flowers are blooming, it’s like my to-do list has taken a life of its own. My husband used to work from home, not now he’s commuting daily, which means more laundry, more food to cook and a lunch box to pack. And on top of the standard Homemaking and meal prep I’ve got to do, now I’ve also got to plan for Passover, and Feast of Weeks, too.

Lately I’ve found myself quietly whispering to Yah as I work: “Lord the harvest is plenty…”

Laughter in my home, peace in my marriage, food on our plates, and so many more fruits we enjoy on the daily. 

“…but the laborers are few…”

I need help. Who is doing all of this labor long term with only two hands? 

Currently in Virginia, I don’t have the luxury of being near my tribe, village or family who can help. With a toddler, I’m finding that the slowness with which I used to engage in Homemaking has now evolved into random bursts of getting stuff done. 

As soon as he’s distracted, I’m washing dishes, making lunch or folding clothes… until I have to chase him or stop him from climbing up my leg. 

Yahusha saw countless people who were sick, poor, blind, and spiritually dehydrated. The Bible specifically says they were “scattered and weary “. I can relate to that.

I can’t say exactly what was going on in His mind in that moment. But these people were his flock, his responsibility, and though it brought him great honor and purpose to care for them, this passage makes it seem like he was suddenly overtaken by a great wave that pulled him underwater. 

Of course, again, it’s hard to imagine that he felt this way because he’s deified. He could literally walk on water. Did he even have vulnerabilities? 

Yes. He absolutely did. He was mortal. He faced pressure, fear, anger. He bled and he wept and he mourned. But his life shows us what goodness comes about when we live for, through and by YAHUAH’s love. 

The pressure to perform, deliver and accomplish in Homemaking can feel like that wave, too. We think we’re managing, getting by, overcoming hurdles and carrying on at a sustainable and comfortable pace. Then— WHAM!

Smacked by a tidal wave, pulled underwater, and then we’re clawing our way back to the surface, back to normal, back to safety. 

And I really love this analogy. Because it always makes me think of Peter, who was called off of a boat during a storm, not to drown but to walk on the water with Yahusha.

“But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?””

Matthew 14:27-31 NKJV

Life feels scary when doubt creeps in. We start wondering, what if my husband dies, or what if I can’t make it to the grocery store in time, or what if we can’t pay the light bill?

All legitimate concerns. The scripture says Peter saw the wind was boisterous— the wind that was stirring the sea and making the water beneath him unsteady. He wasn’t imagining his problems. They were real. 

But Yahusha makes it clear: Peter began to sink because he began to doubt. 

His first instinct was to cry out SAVE  ME, instead of SHOW ME HOW.

How many of us, if we are in a building on fire, would tell the firefighter “Tell me how to get out?” Instead of crying out “Save me!!!”?

I think most of us would want that firefighter to do his job! That’s how I feel when things get rocky in life. 

Me, at any given moment: “Abba God, this was real cute and all, and I know you’re refining me, and pruning me and all that good stuff, but can we wrap it up now? Cause it seem like the weapons formed against me are starting to prosper!!!”

😂 I be running from any chance to walk on water. Put me back on the boat Jesus!!!!!!! 

When I am overwhelmed by my children’s needs, my chores, and even my own self care and spiritual maintenance, I instantly look for salvation. Sometimes that search even comes in the form of fantasy. 

“If only I had more money. If only I had more family close by. If only my baby was more independent…”

Then I’m like God please just do your job, and put these fires OUT for GOOD!

Then he whispers to me, “Just slow down.”

Every bone in my body reminds me of the to do list, that I can’t possibly slow down or else I’ll really drown and so will those who need me. 

But a wise woman once said, “I’m way too busy not to pray.”

So the harvest may be more than one woman can handle. But what did you think was going to happen when you prayed for your cup to run over? Just let it flow, and keep your eyes on Him.

Pleasure and pain have one thing in common in that they both come, and that they both go. So do riches, esteem, health and even beauty.

Some seasons are sailing on the crystal blue waters, enjoying the views. And other seasons are putting on our life jackets getting ready for this ship to sink. And through it all, He never lets us fall. 

The scripture says Yahusha immediately stretched out his hand to Peter and caught him. You may think you will drown, you may think everything is too much, and you may think you can’t do this alone.

But you’re not alone. You will not drown. And The Most High never gives someone more than they can bear, a drink more sour than they can stomach.

If  you cannot harvest it today or tomorrow or in this season, that’s is  okay. It’s not going to waste. Some fruits  must fall to the earth and nurture the roots of its own trees, in order that the future fruit may be more sweet. 

If you can’t reach that fruit right now, let it be. Focus on what you can do, what you can manage, what you can accomplish. Focus on what Yahuah says and don’t get distracted by what’s happening in the world or the things which threaten your livelihood or peace. 

You only start to sink when you start to doubt. And right when we think we’re cooked, that’s when He reaches down and pulls us up again. 

“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of Yahuah.”

I Corinthians 10:31 NKJV