INSPIRASUNS

If you’re like me you remember this saying clearly from your childhood. It was my dad who wanted me to clean my plate. Doesn’t the phrase just bring back the memories of your least favorite food as a kid? There were several on my list for sure, brussels sprouts I’d have to say were at the top of it! But…it’s not just about the types of food on your plate, it’s about the amount. I have memories too of loving certain foods and piling my plate with them. Ya, that didn’t work so well either, because, you guessed it, I had to eat it all so as not to waste it.

When our kids were little my husband and I had a simple rule, you had to try a bite of everything that was on your plate. Even if you had tried the particular food before, whenever it showed up you needed to take a bite and try it. Over time, your tastes change and you never know when you will try something and hey, it’s not so bad. For instance, I actually eat brussels sprouts now, granted they better be roasted and have balsamic vinegar and parmesan cheese melted on them, but hey, do that and they’re gone 🙂 . Our Godson credits us for helping him to now eat broccoli and asparagus. He certainly wasn’t a fan when he was young hanging at our house regularly.

I was thinking about these memories the last few days, and it’s funny how they have relevance to things around us today. I’m not talking about the food part, although I’m always willing to chat about food. I’m thinking more about the priorities and responsibilities in our lives. We’ve all got a ton of them these days, and if we are honest, many of the responsibilities we choose to take on. Before you know it, you’re running in every direction, volunteering for kids’ sports clubs, and church committees, taking on a new project at work, etc. Then you wake up one day feeling grumpy, tired, and wondering what day is it and where you’re supposed to be. I know you can relate right?

Maybe it’s time to look at cleaning your plate. Not so much in eating everything on it, but understanding how much to put on it in the first place. As we did when our kids were little, trying a little bit first and seeing how it goes. Understanding what works in your schedule realistically and what you may need to leave off the plate the next time.

We need to be ok taking a pass sometimes, letting others know that we just can’t take on a new project. More importantly, it’s probably a good idea to ask Father to guide you in the decision. Ya, if you’re like me, you tend to forget that step. Prayer should be the first step in making decisions in our lives, and ya, I’m saying that more for me than you, just a simple reminder to myself 🙂 .

So hey, if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, take a look at your plate. and ask Father to guide you in how much should be there, so that what you’re doing is finding favor with Him. And hey, you have my permission to pass on the brussels sprouts if you want!

Have a great day my friends 🙂

1 John 5:14
And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.