Life is filled with choices. I’ve been sitting in on inservice meetings all week and various trainings. Simultaneously getting ready for the school year, summer band is in full swing, and there are some significant challenges that will be new and “exciting” () this year. Every day has brought multiple “somethings” that force a choice. For context it includes working 30 hours in a 48 hour period for math – subtract the 8 hours per night of recommended sleep (that we all know never happens) and that leaves only 2 hours in a 2 day period. My commute is 40 minutes 1-way.

So….choices…

Choice A is to ask “when will it all get done?” I could wallow in self pity. Poor me. No one understands these new pressures and on and on. I could complain about not getting to spend enough time with my very tolerant husband or not getting to go out with friends or not have “me” time. I could continue to answer emails and messages well into the night and start again early in the morning. It can consume me to levels that lead to hate and resentment, burnout and frustration, and at the end of the day destroy any semblance of health and normalcy that is left.

Choice B – I can remember who I am and whose I am. I can recall that I’m not supposed to do it all in my own power. I can’t be everything to everyone. I’m human. I can prioritize my life so that there is a stopping point most days and I can make myself turn work off and be present in the moment. I can reshuffle my to-do list so that what must happen gets bumped to the top. I can ask for help.

I can recognize that I have a helper that can calm my spirit when the world is throwing poop at me. Are there things in this band director life that MUST take place? Yes. Are there days that must be 15+ hours? Yes. But it end when the leaves turn and it gets cold outside. It will calm down some. I can give people what they ask for without overthinking and providing too much info.

And I can remember who I belong to.

“Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ ‭NET‬‬

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.”

‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭4‬-‭11‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬