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Email a FriendPosted by Anne in NYC on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 1:49 PM (EDT):
old joke:
What do you call a sassy teenager?
A dishwasher.
Coming Up for Air
and waiting for grace
Posted by Danielle Bean in Faith on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 12:00 PM
Ever feel like you’re just treading water? Or (worse) that you’re sinking below the surface?
I woke up yesterday morning gasping for air.
I couldn’t pinpoint my problem exactly, but off the top of my head I could tell you that I was away last weekend, we’re finishing up our school year, we’re transitioning into summer activities, we’re going full-force (at least 2 games a day) with baseball, we’re having some work done on the house, and my dishwasher is broken. (Just between you and me, and my husband whom I tell every 5 minutes, I think the dishwasher thing is my biggest problem.)
The irony of flying to Ohio over the weekend to encourage moms to find peace and balance in their family lives only to return home and feel like a hot mess of motherhood myself was not lost on me.
So I took a deep breath. And I started crossing things off my lists. I eliminated anything that I don’t absolutely have to do this week.
I find this so hard to do.
Some stubborn, prideful part of me never wants to admit that I can’t get everything done. That I get tired. That I have physical, mental, and emotional limitations.
But of course we all need “rescuing” sometimes. Even if we must do the rescuing ourselves, it’s important to recognize our limitations. Because none of us does anything on our own anyway. The times when I feel like I am soaring through life are only possible because God carries me through them.
All that I do requires grace.
Sometimes, for my own good, God allows me to feel just a little bit hungry for it before He delivers.
Comments
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Posted by Jo Flemings on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 1:49 PM (EDT):
Thanks Danielle! this is really encouraging- and I am so impressed by so many of the women commenting here-that you can get so many worthwhile things accomplished! I appreciate very much though that you have kind of touched on the superwoman syndrome that so many women must suffer under in the current feminist clime. I think we thrive on some sense of contro,l and of course our daily survival mandates a significant amount of control of our schedules, environments, weight, finances, children, lives etc. But the thing I think we need more than anything as 21st century Christian Catholic women is to never fall into the misguided groove of controlling the externals in lieu of the internals-I guess that is why we are so privileged to be tethered by grace, and to recognize that we are. This post made me think of Psalm 139:7-14 Where can I go from Your Spirit?...We are fearfully and wonderfully made—-in need of grace every moment!
Posted by Joann on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 5:35 PM (EDT):
Joining with you in the suffering caused by a broken dishwasher! Repairmen have been here twice.
If only I could remember to write everything down that I have to do. I would be so much better about prioritizing. Thank you for your candid reflection. I have much work to do (or not).
Posted by Lori on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 5:49 PM (EDT):
Not to focus on the dishwasher thing (because I know that is not the heart of your post) but it made me think of my mom- growing up we did not have one. When we asked her why she didn’t get one, she would always reply, “Why do I need a dishwasher? I have five?” I don’t have one (although I hope to remodel down the road and put one in!) and I definitely get many looks of pity when people hear this! Thanks for your reflection, Danielle! (By the way, I live in DC, but I encouraged a good friend to attend your talk in Ohio and I cannot wait for her to fill me in!)
Posted by Lisa on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 8:56 PM (EDT):
Just wanted to say I appreciated meeting you last weekend in Ohio. Your point about not comparing yourself to others because God made us individuals to achieve our own potentials really hit home with me. When life gives you a broken dishwasher, make it a home-ec project! God bless!
Danielle…. I hope things are feeling a little bit more do-able for you as the weekend approaches. I absolutely loved your talk in Dayton, especially because of the very simple, yet profound wisdom you called us to remember. I have been praying and re-focusing a lot as I’ve reflected on your comments. I think you are so well-loved because you are so real and down-to-earth. You truly are an inspiration to so many, in your brilliance AND in your candid sharing of your real-life challenges. Hang in there! GOD is in charge. And, I do a lot of praying while I wash dishes. Maybe God wants you there! 
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