Stacks: When is Too Much, Too Much?

I like stacks...

stacks of books,

stacks of magazines,

stacks of baskets,

stacks of dishes.

When my children were small, 

we'd stack blocks.

We'd stack block 

   upon block

       upon block

            upon block

               until

                     they

                         all

                                  came

                                           crashing

                                                     down.....

It was a fun game.

My cupboard is much the same.

I squeeze as much in one place as I possibly can.

After all, I like to show off my wares.

Don't we all?

But sometimes more is too much,

and less is more. 

We stack and pray that the pieces don't topple.

I like activity, 

always did.

Shoot!  I even made a career out of it, 

Activity Director.

Before the children left home,
we rarely had an evening alone.

There was a men's softball game two nights a week, 

often followed by a youth game,

church league volleyball 

and recreation basketball,

 baseball practice and games, 

theatre practice and plays, 

youth choir practice and concerts,

vocal competitions and literary

Wednesday night youth meeting.

Those were the every week things

depending on the season, of course. 

Not to mention summer youth activities, 

children's camp, youth camp, Six Flags, Stone Mountain, 

Braves Game, Gross Food Night, Game Night, Fundraisers, and Retreats. 

Throw in teaching on Wednesday nights

and Sunday School, morning worship and

Sunday night service. 

We stack one activity on top of the other

on top of another, on top of another 

and there's no room to squeeze in one more thing

and wonder why we crash.

But, we like to show off our "wares."

We want perfect children who look smart and achieve much

 look good, and behave well.

When is too much, too much?

We fill our lives with so much 

and pray nothing falls apart. 

I wanted my children to have what I didn't have

encouragement, affirmation, goals and dreams.

However, in the process I wonder if I pushed too hard.

One Summer, I had a near breakdown.

I just couldn't do it anymore.

I was in major burn-out.

I quit my job, 

took a year off

to regroup and prioritize.

(Sometimes we can get too busy even in the church)

It was the best thing I ever did.

  

Martha and Mary were sisters. 

They had planned a dinner for Jesus.

Martha couldn't get Mary to do a thing.

Not to mention that she was sitting at the feet of Jesus.

"GET up and HELP me!"

"Lord, don't you care???"

"Martha, Martha, the Lord answered,

"you are worried and upset about many things, 

but only one thing is needed.

Mary has chosen what is better, and 

it will not be taken away from her."

Luke 10:41-42

I must confess, 

sometimes the clutter in my cupboard

and the magazines on the counter

and the books on the desk

becomes overwhelming.

And so does LIFE.

Is Your Much Too Much?