The Balancing Act

Ever heard the expression “less is more”? I sure have. In fact, that very saying came to my mind just the other day, when I found myself face to face with a situation in which less would, indeed, have been more. I was people watching when a gorgeous woman walked by, decked out to the nines. There wasn’t a surface of available skin that wasn’t adorned with some piece of jewelry, or enhanced with cosmetics. Her hair had been set, teased, and reset, and her clothing was so layered, that I was sure I could have made at least 2 or 3 separate outfits out of all her accessories. Thing is, this woman was lovely all on her own. She didn’t need any of those additives to be more beautiful, because she already was beautiful, just as God made her. In this case, less would have definitely been more. The added adornments had actually taken away from her beauty, by distracting the beholder with so many sights that they might forget there was a simple, pretty woman underneath.

I can relate to this woman in many ways. I may not be piling up the layers of outer accessories, but a lot of times, I find myself nearly crushed under an ever-expanding list of responsibilities. As a woman, I feel myself torn in every direction. Where do I give my time? My thoughts? My energy? My devotion? I have demands as a wife, a mother, a pastor’s wife, a leader, and a Christian. When I spend too much time just being with my kids, I worry I haven’t done enough in my goals for the church or the kingdom. When I work too much at the church or with others, I feel like I’m neglecting my kids. Every day things compete for my attention, and I feel myself being pulled in more directions than a compass.

So what’s the solution? Simple. One word: balance. The answer isn’t for me to stop trying and doing anything at all. No, it’s to find a balance in the midst of it all. Just as the answer for that woman I spotted is not to stop wearing makeup or jewelry altogether (Lord knows I’m thankful for both!), the answer for me will not come in shutting myself off and foregoing all possible responsibilities. Instead, I need to find balance. I can’t say yes to every opportunity, but I can learn to say no to some. I need to live a life where my priorities are centered and my time is allotted in line with those priorities.

Today, think of this simple example before you go about deciding what things will get your time and attention. Remember, less is often more, because when we do less, we are able to do it more accurately and with more attention and devotion.