One thing at a time

Some days are smooth and you get everything done. Other days, not so much.  Some days you feel calm and focused. Other days, not so much.  Today started in the not so much category. First of all, Monday morning meetings just should simply not exist. Who's with me there? It's just not the way to start the week.  In said meeting a list was made of all of the things that need to be done, whether it was setting something up, editing, collecting information, being challenged to think outside the box, and on and on. I could just feel the tension rising in me. It literally felt like stress was being poured into my body and I could feel it rising and rising until it was up to my throat and I felt like I couldn't breathe. I assure you that I was, indeed breathing, and honestly on the outside showed no visible signs of this stress or tension (at least I think).  I made lists, took notes, and nodded along through the meeting. 

An hour later...meeting ends. I walk to my office, set my stuff down and feel like I'm starting to implode. So I "took a lap" (office speak for needing a hot second to collect ourselves) and walked around the halls one lap while intentionally breathing in and out slowly. I prayed. I said "Jesus, I can't do it all. There aren't enough hours in the day."  Back at my office and my admin assistant asked me if I was okay and I had a teeny, tiny meltdown.  No big deal! HA!  I vented a few minutes and then took a deep breath and said, "One thing at a time. I can do this". And I focused.  Like, big time focused. I organized my life...well, my work life and desk area and made an action plan. I closed tabs and started checking things off. And just an hour after feeling like I couldn't breathe, I was smiling and continuing to say "One thing at a time.".

My situation hadn't changed. My to do list was still long (and continuing to grow longer) and honestly overwhelming. But God swooped me up and whispered those words to me. "One thing at a time, Tricia...one thing at a time". I'm busy (aren't we all?). I have a lot on my plate. It's been a bit of a stressful couple of months. But God reminded me that I can do it with HIM, and by taking it one thing at a time.  Something tells me I might be repeating that to myself on the regular for awhile to come, but I have every confidence that I can keep on keeping on...one thing at a time.

Do you have a list a mile long? Do you feel pressure from all sides? Do you feel like you don't have the strength to face the next thing?  Stop. Take a little walk. Breathe in. Breathe out. Tell Jesus all about it. And then...just take it one thing at a time. 

And if you need someone to pray with you or for you...message me. I'm happy to fill in the gap.