Yesterday I mentioned hubby’s emergency appendectomy. He was released from the hospital a week ago today with doctor’s orders to “take it easy.” So, of course, he was driving on Thursday, which I’m sure is not what his doctor had in mind when she wrote out his orders.

“She didn’t say I couldn’t drive.”

Sigh.

He’s a grown man. I have two teenagers already to mother. No need to mother my hubby, too. Apparently he knows his limits.

Or so we thought.

Yesterday Hubby resumed his regular schedule, but straggled in the door after 3 pm looking like taking off his shoes was going to be too much of an effort. His body was saying, “yo, dude, chill out, will you? I can’t take much more.”

Knowing our limits doesn’t apply just to recovering from surgery. It applies to every area of our lives–family, job, church, finances, friendships, hobbies…the list goes on.

January is beginning to feel overwhelming to me. It’s the beginning of tax season so I’m preparing my business expenses for Hubby to do our taxes. I have three articles due this week. I have the debut issue of the My Book Therapy ezine coming out next week. I was trying to have my novel completely edited and ready to submit by the 15th, but that’s not going to happen. I have four birthday gifts to finish before month’s end. I need to submit a scene for a critique. Oh, and, I have an upcoming writer’s retreat to prepare for. Can’t forget about two Sunday school lessons to do this month. Oh, yes, and DS #1 goes back to college on Sunday–need to help him make sure he has everything ready for a new semester. And this does not include my fifty-hour work week or usual housework that never ends.

Oy!

As a whole, my list looks overwhelming. But I need to know my limits. I can’t possibly do all of that in one day. However, if I break those things down by day, they’re a little more manageable.

Whether we’re trying to finish that novel, recover from surgery, face a new college semester, prepare for tax season, we have to know our limits. We don’t run our cars until they’re sputtering on the last gas fumes before we pull in the station for a refill. We can’t run ourselves ragged either. Our bodies and brains need to be recharged with lots of water, healthy foods, exercise, and a good night’s sleep.

And prayer.

Even though the Bible doesn’t actually say “God won’t give us more than we can bear.” However, God does promise to be with us always. And with Him by our sides, we can handle those limits.

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV