by Alena Wendall, @alenawendall

I started the day with a humongous unmanageable To Do list. I don’t know how or when it got so big, but it did.

I had so much to do, I ran into the day with a super-sized coffee filled Yeti, burnt toast and my organizer. 

When I got to work, I jumped in with a “Get ‘Er Done” attitude. By ten o’clock, I crossed off two things. Two!

As I checked the clock, my list didn’t move. Complications kept popping up and after COVID lockdown everyone wants things done now.

In the back of my head, I knew I hadn’t taken time to pray with My Father that morning.  But my soul — the human side kept saying you have soooo much to do. But really, how much was I getting done by trying to muscle through? 

I reached for the stapler at my desk, and I nudged one of the scriptures on my desk.
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 NIV

Or an even better translation.

“I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]” Philippians 4:13 Amp.

I looked from the scripture to the clock, to my to-do list. 

I got up and closed the door to my office and spent time in prayer. 

Did all my problems disappear? Nope. 

Did my To-do List suddenly shorten? Nope.

Did my phone stop ringing? Nope.

Did the text messages stop? Nope.

What changed? My source of power. 

The result? The to-do list didn’t seem like Mount Everest.

What about you? What do you do when you need help?

 

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Writing as Alena Wendall, Alena Tauriainen pens contemporary Christian romance novels that always end with a happily ever after. By day, she partners with her lifelong mate Clyde, to run the family HVAC business. She manages both business and family life with four lovable but crazy kids. She is the Retreats Coordinator for My Book Therapy. She is represented by Rachelle Gardner with Books & Such Literary Management. Visit her at alenawendall.com.