Having it ALL

Can we really have it all? Can we be an incredible wife? Can we be the best mommy? Can we be a gourmet cook and super organized? Can we be crafty and great at finding potential in garage sale finds and other people's discards? Can we teach writing and math and art and spelling and phonics and Latin to our children without any glitches? Can we decorate our homes beautifully and frugally? Can we blog consistently and create websites that encourage and inspire? Can we sew curtains and costumes and dresses? Can we lead and mentor other women? Can we exercise faithfully and maintain a healthy figure and heart rate? Can we grow organic veggies in our gardens and herbs and have rows and rows of mason jars filled with fruits from our labors? Can we clean our homes and polish our floors and clean or windows until they shine? Can we wash our clothes and remove all stains and have them folded and put away in the appropriate drawers? Can we be well educated in herbal remedies for our families and treat all their ailments and sicknesses naturally? Can we have it all and do it all? NO! A huge emphatic, definite NO! Does that cause disappointment? Frustration? It shouldn't…. It should be very freeing. It should result in a feeling of relief. But.... the key is... we can't WANT it all. Seriously. Realize what is important and keep things in perspective. Matthew 6:33 says, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and ALL these things will be added unto you." I seem to be great at added "things." But they are not the right "things." I seem to pursue my idea of "righteousness." But it is not HIS righteousness. As I spend more time in His presence, my perspective and priorities change. My desires begin to line up with his and my eyes begin to focus on His kingdom and my kingdom gradually fades away. I have a desire to know Him and seek His kingdom and His righteousness. Apart from Him, I can achieve nothing. I can be busy and I can even have the appearance of "righteousness." But it is all in vain. My definition of "all" is changing. I have a wonderful husband and a beautiful home, and 10 amazing children. I have a church family and an opportunity to invest in children and young people on a regular basis. "You are the treasure that I seek.. You are my All in ALL. ... Seeking You as a precious jewel, Lord to give up I'd be a fool.. You are my ALL in ALL." He is my ALL. In him is peace and love and security and contentment and provision... And I have HIM. So, yes, I guess I do have it ALL. Just not my fleshly, self-centered, culturally defined version of "ALL." All is, well, everything. It is "the whole of." It is inclusive and full. And when I think of being "whole," I think of being full of Jesus Christ and all that He is. He is my ALL.. and He is all I need.