Giving UP

Overwhelmed? Me too. So is just about every other woman I talk too. We feel like we’re drowning in the vortex of expectations the world has placed on us. However, it’s just as likely that we’re gasping for air because of the expectations we’ve placed on ourselves.

I’m incredibly privileged to be surrounded by women in my family, my church and my community that are generous in spirit. “How can I help you?” is as familiar to their lips as Chap Stick is to mine.

Their question isn’t rooted in some type of “I-Am-Woman-Hear-Me-Roar” complex.” No. They just want to give.

Oh, how they give.

My face scrunches all ugly as I try not to cry while thinking about the women I admire so much.

• The mom that forgoes a needed extra hour of sleep so she can make the kids a good breakfast.

• The wife that, despite her own 9 hour work day, slaps on the lipstick and dons the panty hose because her husband adores having her by his side at the Chamber banquet.

• The daughter turned taxi driver who patiently escorts her elderly mother to the HairPort, Piggly Wiggly, Sew-n-Sews, Canasta Club, Daughters of the American Revolution and last but not least Redeemer Lutheran church (not once but three times a week.)

• The sister that allows her 12 hour day to turn into a 17 hour day so she can help her sibling transition into a new home.

They give, and give and give. Wonderful! Until of course they become so exhausted they want to give up.

There’s just not enough of them to go around. What is a DoAhead to do? Experience has taught me there’s only one thing we can do.

We need to give UP.

I don’t mean collapse, despair or throw in the towel. I mean give as in turn over or open hands in an upward direction.

I can’t do that unless I ask myself “Why am I doing this?” I’m amazed how much clarity a question like this brings. Suddenly motives filter my over-scheduled and overwhelmed life.

“Am I doing this for you God? Am I giving up?’

The processing of putting this question before Him and then waiting on Him for an answer almost always brings me peace. Sometimes it manifests itself in the conviction that I need to pull back.I become convicted that I need to say no to something. The reasons may vary but more than likely it’s because my “yes” was borne out of pride or a desire to please men instead of God.

Other times God whispers, “Keep giving Sis but remember…leave the results to me. I’ve. Got. This.” I have renewed strength to continue because the pressure is off!

My temptation to give up is remedied when I give UP.

How about you?

Is there a situation in your life that leaves you wanting to wave a white flag? I’ll be praying the truth of the scriptures below for each and every one of us this week!

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people…” Eph. 6:7 NIV

“Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort.” 1 Cor. 15:58 MSG

“My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.” Eph. 3:14-19 MSG

Join Suzie Eller and the #livefree community as we learn more about variations of giving up. And then friends, lets Fill Up and Live Up!

{And don’t forget…an amazing give-away from Tuesday’s post Attitude of Gratitude will be announced next Tuesday. It’s not too late if you haven’t already signed up.)

Your DoAhead Friend,