Is There Too Much on My Plate

Every time I want to start something new or volunteer for something my husband asks, "Don't you have enough to do?"

That question tends to bother me but it does cause me to take inventory of what I already have on my plate to make sure there is room for more. That question also tends to give me the "I'll show you" attitude that can get me into trouble if I'm not careful.

Below is the list of everything on my current plate...

* Mother to 8 (9 if you include my husband)
* Housekeeper (that in itself is a big job in a family this size)
* Chef
* Mediator
* Peace Maker
* Student -- working on my Doctorate
* Teacher -- home schooling children
* Church callings -- teaching Youth Sunday School and Music Director
* Community Service -- 24/7 mother-to-mother breast feeding support
* Childbirth Educator
* Small Business owner
* Professional Labor Assistant (Doula)
* Friend
* Wife
* Daughter
* Sister
* Landscaper (okay so all I do is mow the lawn but it's 5 acres of lawn)
* Grocery Shopper
* Chief Financial Officer -- I write the checks for the bills

Okay, I'll stop there. You know that I could keep going. There really is no such thing as "just a mom". You are aware of that, right? We all have lots on our plates. Sometimes I do feel as though mine is overflowing. Usually when I get to that point the Lord places one more item there for good measure. I guess He wants to remind me that with Him nothing is impossible even though some days going to bed at a descent hour has felt near impossible.

I have lots of people ask me, "How do you do it?" My response is always the same, "One day at a time." Sometimes one hour at a time, like today. I try not to spread myself thin but there are days when it can't be helped. When you have a car breakdown leaving a teenager stranded you must re-evaluate the day and make obvious changes. What will I put on the back burner today? Thankfully that doesn't happen too often.

So do I have a full plate? Not too full for me. I love to stay busy. I also love change and the things on my list help me to experience change frequently throughout my day. As if the change brought about daily just with having eight kids isn't enough, right?!

Now obviously there are things on my plate that I can't remove like everything that is a part of being a wife and mother. The other items help me to remember that I'm not JUST a wife and mother. I am a person with her own interests, dreams and goals. Now my family is a very big part of who I am and where I will end up in my life. I love how much I've grown as I've experienced my life so far. I know that some items on my current list will change and even end like working on my doctorate but I also know that I will replace them with other interests.

So I'm wondering now if I need to change plates? Perhaps the plate I am currently trying to fill is a large dinner plate and perhaps I need a salad plate or saucer....changing plates just might help me see how full my plate really is thereby stopping me from adding anymore? Doubtful -- possible but doubtful. I like the feeling I get when I'm being pushed to get something done. Without that feeling, without lots to get done I'm afraid I'd just sit down and do nothing.

Is your plate too full? Perhaps it's not full enough. Take a moment right now and list what's on your plate. Make necessary changes and make sure it's a nice balance -- you can't just have things on your plate that revolve around your family. You must have some items on your plate that are for you. Make sure you are involving every part of who you are in every part of your day.

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