I was on my way to a luncheon in which a local ministry was recruiting help from church congregations in order to reach our city. I was praying about my part and how God might want to marry this ministry with the ministry He has given me. I found myself questioning if this was what He wanted for me. Then I began to envision myself juggling balls. At first there were two, then three, four, and finally five balls. Every time a ball was added, I found myself working harder and certainly concentrating more, sweat dripping from my brow and the stress mounting as I struggled not to drop any of them.
After I arrived back home, I decided to Google “Juggling.” One sight had the following script: Welcome to Learn How to Juggle! Juggling is a skill that anyone can learn. This site provides an easy-to-follow method for learning how to juggle. Some people are natural jugglers and will find they can juggle within a couple of hours of practice. Others might need a little more time (between 2 days to 2 months), but practice and persistence is the key to becoming a good juggler. Once you learn the skill of juggling, you will never forget it (like riding a bike).
Some women are “natural” jugglers, but just because they are “naturals” doesn’t mean that God intends for them to be juggling all the balls they have chosen to juggle. If I were to name the balls most women juggle, I would begin like this: husband, children, home responsibilities, extended family, personal relationship with Christ, friends, work, school activities and involvement, extracurricular involvement- sports, music lessons etc., church involvement, community involvement, etc. Wow! That’s eleven so far, and I’m certain I missed others that women juggle daily. What an incredible human feat- eleven balls!
At times, I believe we think we are “super” women. We tend to look at “Allison” and all the balls she is juggling and question our inability to juggle that many balls. So, we determine that if “Allison” can do it, certainly we can; after all she has more children than I do and her husband travels. I can do this! Then the sweat begins to form on our brow and the stress mounts. We think, “I can’t drop a ball; I have to keep them all in the air,” only to come to the end of ourselves, tired, empty, depressed and absolutely worn out!
As wives, moms and homemakers, God has given us three balls to juggle: our relationship with Him, our family, and our home. We must pray and ask God what other balls we are to add, if any! In my research on juggling, it was suggested that if you want to be a master juggler, you must first begin with juggling one ball well. There is a certain feel you must acquire and a certain height and speed which you are to have in learning to juggle one ball. Once you have accomplished one ball, you can add the second, and once successfully juggling the second, you can add the third.
I was reading an article the night before finishing this devotional. It was in our community magazine and written by a young wife. The title caught my attention, “What Makes a Marriage Great?” As I read the words of Saleama Ruvalcaba, I knew she had come to understand the danger of trying to juggle too many balls and the devastating impact it can have. She said, “I was a busy mother and then began volunteering everywhere. I was offered one volunteer position that led to many more. I became so caught up in my important role at church and areas within my community that I forgot about my husband.”
If we want to “master” this Christian life, we must first successfully juggle ball # 1- our relationship with our heavenly Father. Then we can add ball #2 and ball #3- watching over our home, our husband, children and family. Adding any additional balls beyond these first three can lead to the neglect of the more important things in our lives. We must first “master” keeping ball #1 in the air; otherwise all the other balls will eventually be dropped!
Father, Oh, how I want to be able to successfully juggle ball #1, spending time with you, knowing You passionately and seeking after You. Help me to “juggle” ball #2 and ball #3 in a way that honors you, and draws my family closer to You and to one another. You know that I am not a “natural” juggler. The more balls I juggle, the more my attention is drawn away from You, and the things most important to me. Help me to know what balls I am to add, if any, along with the three you have given me to master. I desire to obey Your voice and Your leading.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33
“Teach me Your way, O Lord.” Psalm 27:11a
“Obedience is the cornerstone to our faith in God.” Charles Stanley
dianne