Boundaries part 3
You can't do everything. And that's ok. You're not supposed to do everything. You can't reach everyone. And that's ok. You're not supposed to reach everyone. The secret of life is staying in your lane. Being who you are and doing what you can do. Now let me say this and then I'll qualify it, try to explain it. There's a difference between stretching yourself and overreaching. Look at Luke 5:3-4, "And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught." When Jesus is in your boat, He will always prompt you to thrust out a little. To launch out into the deep. I always preach and Rant about comprehending the height and length and depth and breadth of God's love. And we can only comprehend it... by doing it. By loving as big as we can. That's stretching yourself. You have to go out on a limb if you want to get the fruit, because that's where the fruit IS. But, having said that, if you're trying to go outside of your lane it doesn't matter how far you "stretch." If it's not for you... it's not for you. That's as simple as I can make it. I used the example yesterday of myself not being a singer/dancer. I know that's not for me. No matter how hard I try to be something I'm not, I'll never be able to. How could you be something you're not? How can you give something you haven't got? You can't. So instead of trying to be someone you're not... just be the best YOU that you can be. Know your boundaries. Know your limits. Know what YOU'RE about. And the best way--probably the only way--to do that is by following your heart. Doing those things that bring you peace and joy. Doing what you do because it's in your heart to do it. Letting your heart lead you and guide you. Doing everything you do to the best of your ability, but making sure that the things you choose to do are things you ought to be doing. You can wear yourself slap out by trying to do things you aren't called or qualified to do. Stressing out about what you're not instead of embracing what--and who--you are. A big part of that comes from setting boundaries. Refusing to let people take advantage of you or walk all over you. Knowing when to say when. Knowing that it's ok to say no. Doing what you can do... always... but knowing the difference between what you CAN do and what you CAN'T do. What you SHOULD do, and what you probably shouldn't. I know we want to be there for people no matter what. I do. I know we want to do whatever we can do to help. I do. But realistically we can only do what we can do. So do what you can. Give it all you've got. Love big and hard and high and deep. Give it all you've got... but let that be enough. Because that's ALL you can do. And it'll either be enough, or it won't. If it's enough, then you've found the people the belong in your life. And if everything you've got ISN'T enough for someone... then you've found that out too. It's ok to do what you can do and then shrug your shoulders. To set boundaries for people, and for yourself!