Peace and Joy While Juggling

Posted May 15, 10:27 AM by Kay Camenisch

I’ve felt like a juggler lately. I have so many things on my desk that I work on one project awhile, put it down and pick up another, then go to something else. I can’t seem to get any out of my way so I can slow down the pace. Consequently, I haven’t blogged lately and I miss you faithful readers. I’ve been thinking of you a lot.

I’ve started several blog posts, but none while I was at the keyboard—all were while I was stirring the gravy, mowing the grass, or some such activity that prevented writing the thought down. Finally, I decided to break in and at least send a greeting. I trust that all the other balls will stay in the air while I’m taking a break!

I keep reminding myself of the things that have been completed. The Uprooting Anger manuscript has endured its final edit. Promotional items—pictures, postcards, a poster, and business cards—have all been taken, ordered, or in some way dealt with and are now settled issues. A copy of the manuscript is in Columbia, South America for review to see if it can be used in prisons there. Promotional material is also in route to Florida for a state-wide chaplains meeting this weekend. I almost forgot, we’ve painted the inside of the kitchen cabinets in the last week too. And I turned in a lesson for my writing course this morning, and have submitted a couple of articles to magazines. With all that out of the way, you would think that some balls are no longer being juggled. I should now be relieved. But the list of things I’m in the middle of is no shorter than it was. There are just as many balls in the air. How does that happen?

I don’t have an answer. I don’t know how it happens, but I’m grateful that I’m not alone in the process. For a while I was overwhelmed by everything, but remembering how God has provided and orchestrated in the past helped. Often, when I’ve done my best and it seemed I’d be late or that things wouldn’t work out, at the last minute everything fell into place with amazing ease and timing. I’ve learned that when I walk in the Lord’s timing, His grace is sufficient and it all comes together. Conversely, when I gear up to make “it” happen, it backfires and all kinds of things go wrong.

I’m more at peace now, but must constantly remind myself to seek God about what to work on in the moment rather than look at the mountain waiting to be done. I must daily decide to set aside time to be still at His feet rather than rushing through a ritual and calling it “quiet time,” when I’m anything but quiet. When I slacken up on acknowledging Jesus as Lord in those two things, life is work—sometimes frantic, sometimes drudgery. Right now, the days are busy and the work never ends, but life is a joy. I’m also grateful and full of anticipation about what tomorrow will bring.

I know life is busy for most folks these days, and that it is often like a juggling act just keeping up with everything. If you’re having a hard time keeping the balls in the air, I hope you can find the time to find the Lord in the midst of it. Meanwhile, know that I’m thinking about you and send my greetings—with prayers that the Lord’s peace and joy reign in your heart and in your sphere.