Have you ever felt like there were not enough hours in the day? Or perhaps you have been wearing just one too many hats. For many, this has been the sentiment over the last few months. Maybe you have been trying to navigate returning to work, or you have worked every day since the pandemic began. No matter which category you are in, or even if you fall somewhere in between, we are all feeling the pinch of trying to establish a new kind of work-life balance. 

Like many of you, I have been working remotely since early March. Initially, it felt good spending more time at home with family, being able to catch up on mini projects around the house, and even just sleeping in a little later. As weeks dragged on to months, with no definite end of lockdown in view, the novelty wore off, and quite soon, the lines between work and home life were blurred. I started signing on a little earlier than the day before and staying on to work well past 9 PM each day. As if working from home was not tough enough, try throwing 4th-grade Mathematics and mastering the art of a happy home into the mix. Each challenge felt insurmountable, and before long, feelings of anxiety and incompetence had taken over. It is easy to get overwhelmed when you are burning the candle at both ends, but it was in these moments I was reminded of God’s promise to never leave us nor forsake us. Amid my (many) “Footprints in the Sand” moments, He always reassured me that He was right here. 

Sometimes we think God has more important issues to worry about and that He’s not concerned about the little things. However, I learned that whatever you commit to Him, He can handle, and that includes elementary school Math and struggling to maintain a harmonious home 24 hours a day. Whenever things start to feel out of control again, I remember Philippians 4:6-7, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” 

Making time to pray and read God’s word each day made most of the difference. I found that I didn’t need hours to do this but just a few moments of dedicated time to talk to Him and let Him know how I was feeling while also giving thanks for all the small victories. 

Finally, I have made some essential changes that keep things balanced, starting with getting up and getting dressed every day, creating a designated workspace, and, most importantly, learning when to sign off. It has taken time to stick to the routine and even more time to get Myles and Kesley in the habit of using their indoor voices during my Zoom meetings. I encourage you to find ways to stay active and carve out time just for the family. We have made a habit of taking walks, watching movies, and time for worship together. These activities have given us a reprieve from the stress of work and school, plus keeps things “normal” despite feeling like the world has been turned on its head. I hope that sharing the chaos that has been my life makes you feel better about the challenges you might also be facing. As you navigate working during a global crisis, remember, we are all in this together. Keep the faith and be encouraged!

Helpful Resource

Max Lucado, Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World, Thomas Nelson, 2017.