For the Woman Trying to do It All

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I wandered into the kitchen while the sky was still black. The hood pulled over my head signaled my desire to be left alone.

Yes, the day beckoned. Yes, I was awake. But yes, I would have much rather stayed in bed.

The hours gave way to demands that included scouting the spider outside the window, searching the internet to find out how to unclog a toilet, and crafting six peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for my little tribe.

Oh, and when I say spider outside my window, I mean a spider as big as my hand that basically held us all hostage inside the house. And when I say a clog in my toilet, I mean the kind where a plunger just won’t cut it and it may mean investing in a plumbing snake.

I also studied the owners’ manual for my van to identify the warning light above the steering wheel and decide how to make it go away. And with half of my crew either sick or sleep-deprived I found plenty of teachable moments along the way, too.

We all have days like these don’t we?

You wish for more hands on your body or minutes in the day or brain cells to spread across the endless demands. Your thoughts feel scattered and you may even wonder if what you’re doing actually matters. We long to make a difference and end each day satisfied, sure of what we’ve accomplished, but we’re not always sure that’s possible.

Years ago, on a day much like this one, I wrote a prayer. A prayer that I’ve prayed many times since then.

This prayer brings me I peace and confidence today.

I thought maybe it might do the same for you …

Lord Jesus, my day belongs to you.

I expect You will provide ample time for me to accomplish all that You desire. Align my direction with Your desires.

I commit every minute to You, that I may work willingly and with all my might. Set my pace that it may compliment, not compete with, Your purposes.

I’m excited to see what You have planned for me today. I trust You will give me all I need and use every moment, big and small. 

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Days when nothing seems to go right are not wasted.

In fact, I think it’s quite the opposite. Theses days are an invitation to fill our lives with God to the point we’re overflowing into the world around us, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16, NIV).

I eventually pulled the hood off my head and tackled the day. I met surprises and challenges, but I finished the day resolved and encouraged.

As I prayed this prayer and trusted God to lead me and use me for His glory, He filled even the most basic of activities with His purpose and power and love.

If you’re praying this prayer with me today, leave a comment! Let’s pray together. Or if you know someone trying to do it all, share this prayer with them.

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45 Comments

    1. 🙂 Love you too, Mary Lynn! And glad you think I’m humorous! 😉 Thanks for your encouragement today. Blessed by you!

    2. thank you for reminding me that God is in control and all I need do is trust in HIm

  2. Pingback: For the Woman Trying To Do It All (by Katy McCown) | PAO

  3. Thank you Katy for this prayer today! It was exactly what I needed today 🙂 Xo

  4. Yes, girl! Very thankful to be drinking my morning coffee and reading these inspirational words! I have a to-do list a mile long after being sick for over a week (I’m finally better- hooray! But now I have to put everything back together that fell apart while I was in bed lol). Thanks for sharing this even in the midst of your crazy day!

    1. Oh man, Becca! A friend of mine always says it should be illegal for moms to get sick! I know the hill seems steep. Thanks for taking a minute to share your life here. 🙂

  5. I must thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this website.
    I really hope to check out the same high-grade blog posts from you in the future as well.
    In truth, your creative writing abilities
    has encouraged me to get my own, personal
    website now 😉

  6. I have so much I want to accomplish today, but praying this prayer calmed my heart, and helped me realize God is in control, and if I align my will with His then the end results will be what is best for me, and glorify Him.
    Thank you Katy

    1. Denise, I just prayed that prayer again yesterday! It’s something I ask God for often!

  7. Thank you for the prayer, I must add it to my daily routine. Women like myself are the leaders of the house and like everything you become superwomen but something always seems to be lacking. God’s guidance is an abundance and I must learn how to allow him to guide me through his path. I will use this prayer from now on.

  8. Thank you so very much for this post. Has really helped me approach my busy exam week ahead with a positive mindset. God bless you! ❤

  9. Thank you for this. I am the wife and mom that tries to do it all. Through a study called hope in the storm I found this. It makes me stop and remember I do not have to do it all.

  10. As a single dad fighting hard in the good fight your prayer gives me sensibility in the madness anxieties and pressures I face p. Thank u and praise Adonai. Hallelujah (not easy to say sometimes)

  11. Oh my I guess I am overwhelmed I work 7 days one week and and work every other weekend and I am off 2 days the odd week but I am so tired when I get home I just put my feet up I do not get the things I need to do accomplished I try to please everybody else plus I but I also have a thirty yr old daughter who lives with us but she also has a heavy work schedule but I do not get any help so I get discouraged my husband work 1 and a half jobs we live in a brand new house of 2 yrs so money is tight so do you get the picture.

  13. Good morning
    Yes it is one of those days. And to be honest I have had a lot of these days. Thank you. I do know God is still in control. With his sweet spirit he walks with me. May God continue to bless you

  14. Bless you Katy, the prayer has ministered to me and my wife. With three kids in the house two being below 2 yrs of age the house feels like a bee hive sometimes and time just flies, it’s the same in the work place. This prayer fits perfectly with the need to have more time with God to order our steps.

  18. I’m praying this prayer with you today!!!! I want Jesus to move in unexpected ways in my life and to put my complete trust and surrender all that I am to Him. To come to know Him intimately!

  20. I do not believe in coincidence. That I just prayed using the beautiful words penned by you because I so relate to it, is my affirmation of the Grace that has me covered.

  21. Thanks for your words of wisdom and hope. You are so right, there are many days in my life when I feel I am fighting a loosing battle. Reading this has given me the courage to keep on keeping on knowing that God is in control, and he will provde whatever it take for me to reach my ful potential of what his will for me is.

  23. I am disabled and in the middle of moving. Way behind on my doctor’s visits and proyally about to have another life-threatening surgery AND a possible REPEAT hip replacement surgery. I have had my “bionic” hip for 6 years no problem until I had a life-threatening infection in my hip and had another surgery, but my hip is popping in and out. I have severe malnutrition, and weigh only 90 lbs. My GI Surgeon is in no hurry to do another surgery because he knows art 90 lbs, I may not make it this time. But my colon is stricturing again and it is rough. But God has brought me through so much and I am so thankful. What is impossible for man is possible with God. ALL things are possible with God and I am living proof. I have almost died several times over, but it wasn’t my time. I praise our Abba God and His Holy Spirit AND OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST! I am so blessed!

  24. Thanks I needed this prayer today. Life as I know it has changed so much the past six months. My family is struggling with managing our time, I lost my job in December. I worked for a church who was having trouble meeting their expenses, so my position was eliminated. Since then we haven’t been in church, and I feel so lost. Please pray for us.

  26. I felt this prayer was just for me today! I am sole caregiver for my husband who suddenly and unexpectedly fell ill 4 months ago. He is now dependent on me 24/7. Sometimes I feel that I can’t go on…it is completely overwhelming. I pray for God to multiply my time. Thank you for your words.

  28. Loved this prayer! I am going to give it a shot and pray it every single day with conviction! I cannot wait to report back on how it is going!

  29. The link in my bible study wasn’t operational, so glad I took the time to “Google” it! So refreshing to know how many must rely on our Lord and Savior just to get motivated and see our days from a totally different perspective.

    Thanks!
    Daine

  30. omg, yes needed this God A, for sure, my life not as, cords hanging but its getting there, But there is not enough hours in a day,,, for kingdom living,, how did Martha did it in early living bible days… wait,,, she had to learn as Mary did to sit at Jesus feet… thxs katy,,,

  31. I read each day of the 30 day prayer challenge and it brings me peace. Thank you for you story it was most wanted and needed. I do my best in Gods name amen

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