As a stay-at-home and work-at-home mom, this last week of summer has had me feeling torn between trying to squeeze in those last minutes of summer fun and feeling the need to start planning for the fall. It’s one of those transition periods where you want to finish out one season on a strong note while also jumping into the next one with a good plan.
Backing up a few months, to right before school let out in May, God brought me through a time of desiring to be more focused on Kingdom work and more intentional with where I am and what I’m doing. Then He gave me the opportunity to reduce my outside work load, which over the past year had been overwhelming. 
As a direct result our family has enjoyed a fun packed summer full of baseball, trips, swimming, and long lazy days of fun. However, being the planner that I am, throughout the summer numerous opportunities and needs have popped into my head and I would think “Oh! Maybe I can do that in the fall!” At times it has left me feeling excited, sometimes overwhelmed, and sometimes just plain unsure because there are so many “good” opportunities that I was just wasn’t sure where I’d start when fall did actually roll around.
So in my quiet time this week God prompted me to write down what I’ve ALREADY committed to for the fall including the roles I have as a Christ-follower, wife, and mother. Then I matched up commitments that were in similar categories (church, home, school, etc.) When I looked at the list and the importance of what God had already given me to do I was amazed I could even attempt to do it all with any success! Then He prompted me to pray over my CURRENT commitments and roles, asking God to keep in what He wants me to invest my time on and take out what He doesn’t need my help on. Would you believe that very afternoon I received a call regarding a need in a ministry I was already working in and passionate about, thus affirming I am where He wants and needs me to be?
He also reminded me that what I am doing matters. Being a great mom matters, being a dedicated wife matters, being reliable and dependable and committed to what I’ve already said I would do (whether it be at work, church, school) matters. I don’t have to take on more to fill up my time because what I’m already doing matters to Him. And I don’t want to miss that out there looking for the next thing that needs to be done! He’ll make sure I accomplish all He has for me to do in His time but I don’t want to risk not completing the current tasks and roles He has given me. I want to be committed to what He has already asked me to do, yet flexible for when God has a new direction for me. I can only find this out by staying in touch with Him thru prayer and being in His word. So thankful for his gentle reminder to me of that this week.
What roles does God currently have you filling? I challenge you to list them and then hand them over to God and ask Him to affirm or remove them as needed, to ensure you are doing what He has called and designed you to do. Would love to see you post here how God has answered your prayers in this area so we can encourage each other!
There is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1
Your sister in Christ,
Annemarie
Love this post! It could’ve been taken straight from my journal. With our school system being in limbo I think all of us “planner Moms” have been thrown into a tailspin. And perhaps it’s God’s beautiful method of reminding us to be always always seeking His direction no matter where we find ourselves. The summer months are usually a time for our family to put all things on hold that don’t involve family time. The week school starts back is usually the time to start our fall projects. It has turned into a great opportunity to teach the kids a few really valuable lessons about hard work and responsibility.