Balancing It All: A Journey Through Faith, Family, and Fulfillment
Life isn’t just a juggling act; some days it feels like trying to hold back a tidal wave with a paper cup. Being a mom, a grandma, a wife, a sister, a child, a friend, a multiple business owner, and holding down a full-time job is more than overwhelming—it’s soul-crushing at times. There are nights when the weight of it all drives me to my knees, not in some poetic prayerful way, but in a raw, messy, I-can’t-do-this-shit-anymore kind of way. And even in the chaos, even in the unfiltered mess, there’s Jesus—patient, unwavering, and probably shaking His head at my antics.
When the Waves Crash
Some days, I’m drowning. As a mother, I ache to be everything my kids need. From last-minute school projects to being their emotional safety net, I constantly wonder if I’m giving them enough. As a grandma, I want to leave a legacy of love and wisdom, not just cookies and story time—although those moments are pretty damn great too. As a wife, I’m fighting to keep my marriage alive when exhaustion and miscommunication feel like constant companions.
Then there’s my job, where deadlines pile up like mountains, and my businesses, where every decision feels like it carries the weight of the universe. And let’s not forget trying to show up for my parents, siblings, friends, and whoever else needs a piece of me. Meanwhile, the person who gets left behind the most? Me! I put myself on the back burner so often, I’m not even sure what’s left of the original dish.
The cracks show in the everyday chaos: when I forget an appointment, leave a task half-done, or lose my shit over spilled juice. The guilt is fucking brutal. The voice in my head is relentless: You’re failing. You’re not enough. You’ll never be enough.
But then, I hear the whisper of Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” And damn, do I cling to that. Because it’s okay to fall apart. Jesus is there in the mess, holding the pieces together when I can’t.
The Struggle to Be Everything
It’s not just exhaustion—it’s the crushing pressure of being everything to everyone. The weight of expectations feels suffocating, and the idea of self-care is a cruel joke. Seriously, when am I supposed to squeeze in a bubble bath between meal prep, school drop-offs, and fixing the leaky faucet?
I wrestle with the constant need to justify every minute I take for myself. If I sit down for five minutes, the voice in my head sneers, Lazy much? You should be doing more. More for my family. More for my work. More for everyone who relies on me. And there are days when I can’t keep up. Days when the house is a disaster, emails go unanswered, and my family gets the short end of the stick because I’m running on empty.
But here’s the thing: I’m finally learning that I can’t do it all. I don’t have to. My job isn’t to be perfect; it’s to show up, messy and human, and trust that God will fill in the gaps. And believe me, He does.
Leaning on Faith
My relationship with Jesus isn’t some pristine, Instagram-worthy thing. It’s raw, real, and riddled with expletives. When I’m at my lowest, I don’t offer Him poetic prayers—I scream, cry, and sometimes cuss Him out. But you know what? He can handle it.
Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” And that’s what keeps me going. On the days when I’m barely holding it together, I hear Him whisper, You’re not supposed to do this alone. His grace is my lifeline, pulling me back when I’m on the edge of losing it.
When I feel like I’m not enough, Jesus reminds me that I don’t have to be. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I lean into that—into Him—and I keep going, one chaotic step at a time.
Redefining What Matters
I’m done chasing the bullshit version of success. It’s not about spotless countertops or perfect schedules. It’s about surviving the day with a little love, a little laughter, and a lot of grace. It’s about finding joy in the chaos: a dance party in the kitchen, a burnt dinner that turns into takeout, or a stolen moment of quiet with God.
I’m learning to celebrate the wins that matter: showing up for my family, forgiving myself when I fall short, and leaning into the messy, beautiful life God has given me. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds me, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” I’m finally starting to believe that I don’t need to have it all figured out—God’s got me.
An Invitation to the Overwhelmed
If you’re reading this and feel like you’re barely keeping your head above water, let me say this: You’re not alone. Life is hard as hell. It’s messy, exhausting, and unrelenting. But it’s also beautiful, redeeming, and full of grace.
Our Jesus isn’t asking you to have it all together. He’s not waiting for you to clean up your act or get your shit together. He’s just asking you to come to Him, as you are, and let Him carry the load. Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” And damn, do I need that reminder daily.
So, let’s stop pretending we have it all figured out. Let’s be real about the mess, the struggle, and the grace that gets us through. Take a deep breath, hand over your burdens, and trust that you are enough—even when you feel like you’re not.
Let’s walk this journey together, one unfiltered, grace-filled step at a time.
Madge
