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the hook. Find out what God is doing, jump in the river of His will, and flow with the current of His plans. Accept help when it is offered from a friend, a family member, a church member, a coworker, or even a stranger. You do not have to do all, be all, and have all, all at the same time. There are other people, right now in your home, at your job, in your church, and in your community, who can do a good job too. Share the load. We need to get off the I-can-do-it-all kick.
    As a recovering do-it-all-aholic, I am right there with you in letting those unrealistic expectations go. Rest in the Lord’s expectations for you. He knows what you need, and He loves you greatly. He answered my prayer at dark-thirty when I told Him I just couldn’t do it all. He said, “Chrystal, I know that. I’ve been waiting a long time for you to know that too.”
    Remember Martha and Mary? It is so easy for us as women to focus on the doing rather than on the most important thing— being in a vibrant relationship with our Savior.
    Cooking and cleaning are important . . .
    Raising your children is important . . .
    Cultivating a healthy marriage is important . . .
    Doing a good job and building a career are important . . .
    Contributing in your community is important . . .
    Exercising wisdom in your finances is important . . .
    Serving in your church is important . . .
    Taking care of your health is important . . .
    Spending quality time with friends and family is important . . .
    Enjoying your life is important . . .
    But none of those things should ever be a stumbling block that keeps you from fearing God, finding out what His priority is for you, and focusing on what matters for eternity.
    Fearing God means that His program is your program. His plan is your plan. And His purposes are the purposes you live to fulfill.
    Fearing God means that you are clear on the idea that your life is actually His life—that He is living through you .
    A wise mentor once shared this thought with me: “Each morning before you allow your feet to hit the floor, lie in bed for one purposeful moment longer than you normally would, stretch your arms toward the ceiling and in effect toward heaven, and offer yourself to the Lord, inviting Him to show you what the most important thing is on His list for you to get done today. If you do not stop to ask Him what His priorities are for you, your “good” will always get in the way of God’s “best.” Let Him know that you are willing to be interrupted, willing to be derailed, and willing to be surprised if He sees fit. Then get up and walk in the knowledge that your day belongs to the Lord.”
    We are all in different seasons of life, with different responsibilities, demands, and distractions. But no matter our season, God sees us where we are, and He hears our prayers in the middle of our dark and overwhelming nights—even when we pray with our hands on our hips.
    The best news is that when you are a kingdom woman who chooses to walk in the fear of the Lord, then it’s His job to find and provide the tools you need to get His work done!

    God Is Your Biggest Helper
    Chrystal’s illustration might sound familiar to you. Maybe you’ve been there. Maybe you’ve gotten to the point where you wonder how you are supposed to do it all. But the lesson Chrystal learned and the help she accepted is a lesson for you as well. Wisdom entails recognizing what season you are in and livingaccording to that. Never be ashamed to admit that you can’t do it all. The main thing is that you keep God first and foremost, and His strength will give you what you need to make decisions that will glorify Him.
    While the Proverbs 31 kingdom woman serves as the ideal, the reality of day-to-day life for a woman—whether caring for children or parents, holding down a job, taking care of her home, and even taking care of herself—might make that ideal seem impossible. But the goal is to let the fear of God be the