(13) As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. (14) For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.

-Psalm 103:13-14 (ESV)-

When I do family counseling, I asked the same question at the beginning. This will set the tone and direction of our conversation. The question is: “WHAT IS THE NUMBER ONE PROBLEM FACING YOUR FAMILY?” To my surprise as always, the answers were variations on a common theme: “How do you manage to do a good job at work, have time for your family, be involved in church activities and school activities-if they have kids in school, and be a real person at the same time?”

How many times have you felt like doing the following:

Resigning from parenting for a week?

Calling your boss and telling him, I’ll be back on the job in 10 days-just got too much to do?

Or sending God an email or message letting Him know you will check in with Him if you get in trouble, but not to expect to hear from you for the next month?

At times, we do end up doing those things, overwhelmed by business, our family suffers. We become strangers to our kids, and sometimes, to our husbands or wives. And, at times, without sending a formal message to God, we leave Him outside our life.

What is the solution? Making a list of everything you need to do and then numbering each item based upon its importance? Most people would say, “Yes! Prioritizing life is the answer.” I am not convinced. As soon as you make your list, you immediately feel guilty. You know that your list is totally unrealistic. If you started at the top and worked down, you wouldn’t get more than halfway through your list before you ran out of emotional energy, to say nothing of time constraints.

I have another suggestion which I believe is more in keeping with the witness of God’s Word. Draw a horizontal line and on that line write down every task you have to do. Above that line, put a triangle representing God as Lord of your life. Then relate each task to Him, realizing that everything is not going to get done. Decide what God would have you do. Realize every week, perhaps every day, that those tasks will change in importance.

If you are God’s child, meaning follower of God, what happens to you is of interest and concern to God. God knows there are but 168 hours in every week. At times we expect far more of ourselves than we can deliver. We crowd more and more things into our schedule. When our tired bodies and frayed nerves keep us from delivering, we end up tired and irritable.

God won’t manage your schedule for you, but asking God’s direction will help you to focus on what counts in life. Start today.

Pastor Gideon Gallo is the Administrative Pastor at Gladbrook Global United Methodist Church.