Knowing My Limits

Observation: Flipping a mattress is most definitely a two-person job.

I know this because I just spent a good five minutes huffing and puffing and shoving my mattress around. I just bought a new comforter set, and figured that while I was putting on the new bedskirt, I might as well turn the mattress. It's a good thing I've been working out my arms lately, as they certainly got a chance to flex their muscles. Thankfully I came through the exercise unscathed.

Call it pride, or stubbornness, or both, but sometimes I take on too much. Like carrying groceries from my car into the house. There have been times when I've attempted to carry six or seven bags (heavy bags, at that) all at once into the house, at great risk of having my arms ripped out of their sockets. So far I've managed to escape extreme injury, but there have been a time or two that I've dropped the bags I was trying to carry. Even though it takes a few minutes longer, in the end it's so much easier if I just take a couple of bags at a time and make a few trips to the car.

As I get older, I learn to know what my physical limits are. I can't do everything I want to do. Sometimes I'm limited by physical strength and energy; sometimes it's a limitation on time, or finances, or know-how. I've improved over the years in knowing how to manage my time and finances better, but obviously there are still some areas (like strength, for instance) where I tend to push myself more than I should.

When it comes to praying, sometimes I weigh my limitations, keep to myself what I think I can "handle", and give God the rest. That is not a good approach. The truth is, I can't do anything on my own. Without God's guidance and strength, I am completely limited. I may think I'm handling things on my own just fine, but I'm a fool to think that way.

Ironically, when I admit my utter and total weakness before God, that's when He unleashes His power at work in me. Realizing that I am nothing apart from Him allows God's Spirit to work in me to accomplish things beyond my wildest dreams.

Today's mattress flipping exercise notwithstanding, I am trying to accept my physical limitations and ask for help when I need it. I am also learning more and more to present all of my needs--physical, relational, financial, spiritual--to God. Apart from Him, I can do nothing, but with Him--all things are possible.