Being Slow to Obey...

Yesterday, I told you about One Month to Live. I also mentioned you could visit their website to read more about the 30-day challenge, which now that I have begun to read more than the inside front flap of the book, I realize this is basically the essence of the book.

On the website, you can sign up to let them know you have decided to take the plunge and accept the 30-day challenge to live as if you only had one month to live. If you sign up on the website, they will send you one of those Lance Armstrong Live Strong-inspired bracelets to wear while taking the challenge.

A side note disclaimer here...the authors note that most of us can't quit our jobs and take that vacation to Hawaii we have always wanted to take. They are not advocating complete self-indulgent, self-absorbed living. It's about taking the leap and living passionately and abundantly in the life God has planned for each of us. I just felt I needed to mention this.

To continue with my theme from yesterday, I would like to mention that I visited the website (obviously since I know about signing up to let them know you've accepted the challenge), but, as of this writing, I have yet to accept the challenge. I take this sort of thing very seriously, and I'm not going to sign up and say I'm doing this until I'm willing to actually do it. As I sat there yesterday in front of my computer staring at the sign-up screen, I wanted to fill in my information, but I simply could not make myself type the words. I was afraid. What would this mean for me? What would I have to do if I said, "Yes"?

I think a more pertinent question should be, "What blessings will I be missing out on if I say, 'No'"? Jesus told Simon Peter to cast his net again. Simon Peter did so simply because Jesus said so. That was the only incentive he needed. Why can I not answer so swiftly and assuredly? Obedience swift and sure. That was his response.

I remember seeing on a church sign one time these words, "Being slow to obey is still disobedience." Ouch!

I have a lot to think and pray about.

Blessings,

Because Jesus Said So

One Month to Live. That is the title of a book my friend, Amy, over at Just Keep Praying called today to tell me she had purchased because she fell "hook, line, and sinker" for the marketing of the endcap. So, like any good friend who wants to be supportive and help her friend not feel too bad, I went straight to the bookstore at the first opportunity and purchased the book for myself. What else could I do? Okay, back to the book....

Are you suffering from "someday" syndrome - always waiting for someday when your schedule calms down, your finances improve, or your kids grow up so you can begin to live the life you've always dreamed of?

Consider how your perspective would change if you found out you had just thirty days to live. After the initial shock, you'd probably resolve to squeeze all you could from the days that remain. You'd say what you really think. You'd love with abandon. You'd focus on whatever you care about most. In short, you'd stop wasting precious time, and in whatever time you had left, you'd throw yourself into becoming the person God intended you to be. (taken from the inside flap of One Month to Live)

I haven't even begun to read the book yet, and I already feel convicted! You see, I have been wasting time. I'm not doing everything I can to become the person God intends me to be. I know this.

Over the past couple of weeks, God has given me the passage Luke 5:1-11 when Jesus called the disciples to follow Him.

1One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, 2he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch."

5Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."
6When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

8When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" 9For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners.

Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." 11So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

I have mentioned before that I don't feel I am following through on everything God has called me to do, re: Mary Kay. I didn't choose it. I would not have chosen it. But God chose it for me. Why, I do not yet know. The second time God gave me this passage in less than a week, I knew He was trying to tell me something. I stopped and asked Him, "What is it, God? What do you want me to know?" He spoke to my heart so clearly. He said, "My child, if you will cast your net as I have asked, I will fill your net and the nets of all who join you to the point of breakage. Trust me."

Notice Simon's response to Jesus' instruction to cast the net again. 5Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." Because You say so, I will. Obedience. Pure and simple.

Simon Peter was a fisherman. They had been out all night and had caught nothing. But because Jesus told him to try again, he did. That was the only reason he had to do so. And it was the only reason he needed.

I need to take a lesson from Simon Peter. I have been given an instruction. I need to cast my net again. Why? Because Jesus said so, and that should be all the reason I need.

What do you need to do?

Blessings,

If you would like to know more about this book and a 30-day challenge to go along with it, go to their website One Month to Live.

Makeover Monday's

I wanted to let you know about a four-week online Bible study being led by my bloggy friend, Alene.

Makeover Monday's is an awesome study expounding on topics centered around makeover's - both spiritual and physical. Aren't we all tired of asking, "Mirror, Mirror on the Wall?" This four-week online study will begin February 25th, Monday. Resources: a journal or spiral, and a Bible. (taken from the Makeover Monday's blog.)

Since the study just began yesterday, it's not too late to jump in. I'll even be dropping in as a guest one week. Go check out Makeover Monday's now!

Blessings,

I Am Me

Last week, I read a post on my friend, Janel's, blog. It was titled, Speaking of Comparisons. She had some really good things to say about comparing ourselves to other's and how exhausting it can be. Her comments really spoke to me, and I have been thinking about them a lot. God used her post to initiate a dialog with me that has continued for nearly two weeks now. A little background....

I have spent most of my life unhappy with myself in some form or fashion. Of the 37 years I have been on this earth (did I just admit my age? *gasp*), my husband has been with me for 17 of those years. I am constantly re-inventing myself. Just ask him.

Let's see. When we met, I weighed less than when we got married, but more than I weigh now (thank goodness I can say that!). My hair was brown and had its own zip code. I'd post a picture, but that was in the age before digital cameras and trying to scan one in is just too much trouble. Sorry! Anyway, think 80's big hair with lots of product. You get the idea. I tried perms for a while (hated the smell), then I just went with a curling iron. That took way too long, so eventually I just left it straight. After I had my daughter, I decided to cut off about four inches and go with some red and blonde highlights which I had never done in my life! After a couple of years of that, I cut off about another three inches. I later added all over reddish-brown color and kept the highlights as well. The length has stayed the same, but a couple of weeks ago, I added back in some lo-lites of my natural color of hair because I'm wondering if I should go back to my natural hair color. Whew! I'm worn out just typing all of that! And that's just my hair!

During that time, my clothing has gone from bow flats and decorated tees to baggy sweaters and stretch pants (this was during the time when I had gained a lot of weight and thought I could hide my body by wearing baggy clothes...don't try this...it doesn't work!) to business wear to trendy. Just last year, I FINALLY got my ears pierced! I know, I was probably the last woman on earth my age who still wore clip-on earrings! Lest you think I was afraid, I'm going to open myself up here and share that it was way more shallow than that. I didn't want to wear the same pair of earrings for six straight weeks! I have a pair of earrings for every outfit...or at least I did before I had them pierced. Alright...enough about all of that.

I have been re-inventing myself in other ways, too. I've never been a very good housekeeper. I don't like to cook. Let's just say, the Proverbs 31 woman was not modeled after me! But I think I'm supposed to be her because why else would God put her in the Bible? Cue violins as my sad story begins.

Seriously, I spend most of my time feeling like a complete and total failure. I'm loaded with guilt over all the stuff I think I'm supposed to be doing but don't feel like I have time to do, all the things I should have done but haven't, and all the things I have done and shouldn't. I'm not talking sins of the past here, just day-to-day living.

Last week, I started trying to do the Flylady system again to see if I can get my house under control. This is my second time giving this a try. Last time I failed miserably. See, there's that word again.

One of the things I have also been trying to do is to work faster. I don't mean just in cleaning and what-not. I'm talking about in everything that I do. I am meticulous and methodical by nature. I don't get things done quickly. I'm also somewhat of a perfectionist and this probably contributes to the slow rate at which I accomplish tasks. I have long lamented this. I mentioned in another post I'm a crier. I don't like this about myself either. I find it annoying. I always have to have tissues with me because the smallest things make me cry.

This past week, though, I heard the still, small voice, as I was attempting to rush through something no less. God spoke so clearly to my heart. He said, "My child, why are you trying to change yourself? I made you to be just the way you are. Your tears come from the gift of mercy I gave you, and your methodical, meticulous nature that you think slows you down makes you more aware."

I think this can be applied to everything. We should never stop striving to be more like Christ, and we should definitely respond with repentance when God convicts us of sin in our lives, but we need to stop what is in essence telling God He made a mistake.

Do I still need to lose weight? Yes. Should I try to be a better housekeeper? Yes. Do I need to make more of an effort to cook meals at home for my family? Yes. Does it help any of us when I guilt-load myself because I haven't done a very good job at these things? NO, because I am still making it all about me.

But, I will no longer lament the fact that I cry at the drop of a hat or that it takes me longer to do things than it does other people. God made me that way, and He had a reason for doing so. So, instead, I'm going to embrace these characteristics about myself and try to figure out how best to use them for Him. As for those things that could use some improvement, I'm going to make an effort to follow Colossians 3:23. "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."

And....I'm going to be happy that I am me.

Blessings,

Just Keep Praying

Just Keep Praying is the title of my friend Amy's new blog. Amy has a real heart for prayer. She desires for people to be encouraged in their prayer lives and develop that more intimate relationship with God through prayer. God has given her a real gift in this area. She is very good at coming up with creative ideas and visual aids to illustrate prayer points. I encourage you to visit her blog. She has certainly been an encouragement to me in my own prayer life. Love ya, Amy!

Blessings,

Pink Petunias Revisited

If you haven't read my post titled "Pink Petunias," click here to read it and then this post will make a lot more sense.

Tonight I received a phone call from my aunt who said they had just had a very strange visit. When any of my family calls and says something like this, it ALWAYS pertains to my mother. This time was no different.

I mentioned in the previous post that I had sent her a small gift for Christmas. Nothing big, really. Just a bag of lemon drops because they used to be her favorites with a note letting her know I was thinking about her and praying for her. I also mentioned that I had never heard anything from her. That has not changed since the last post...at least not until tonight. Well, indirectly anyway.

My aunt and uncle were at home and thought they heard a noise at their front door. My uncle went to investigate. By the time he reached the door, my mother was leaving their driveway. There, between the screen and interior doors sat the gift....unopened.

Malicious. That's what it was. She wanted to hurt me. It wasn't enough to just not open the gift. She wanted me to know that she was rejecting it. This isn't surprising really. She could be quite mean when I was growing up. I always knew not to cross my mother because she didn't get mad, she got even.

There is a silver lining in this otherwise dark and dreary cloud, though. Her rejection didn't touch me today. You see, I had already been dealt the first punch of the 'ole 1-2 punch earlier in the day. That will have to be a story for another time...perhaps, tomorrow.

But God is ever faithful. He is moving mightily in my life right now. He is calling me to new things, and some of them are starting to come to fruition (yet another story for another day). What this really boils down to is spiritual warfare. Satan is coming at me with both barrels, but when I received the call tonight, God said, "Not this time." He had insulated my heart. He will be my father AND my mother. I am thankful. Thankful not only that He will fill that void for me, but thankful also that instead of hurt and anger, I feel compassion. My mother is ill, and she is hurting, and for that I am truly sorry. I will continue to pray for her healing, but if that is not God's will, then at least I can take comfort in the fact that He has her in the palm of His hand, and there WILL be a day when she is completely healed and restored.

Blessings,

"Precious" is the Lamb

My daughter did the most precious thing last night. We were reading our nightly devotional. Each week, the book we use focuses on a particular verse of scripture. It takes that verse and develops a theme for the week, and each day's devotion pertains to that theme. This week's verse is John 3:16, and the theme is God gave Himself.

Last night's devotion focused on the story of the Passover. You can read this story in Exodus Chapter 12. Specifically, the devotion focused on the instructions to the Israelites that each family should slaughter a lamb and take some of the blood and put it on the tops and sides of the doorframes of the homes in which they ate their meals. We talked about how God sent the death angel to kill each firstborn, both men and animals. The blood was a sign that the angel should "pass over" those homes. We then talked about how Jesus is called the "Lamb of God," and how His death, his shed blood protects us now and forever more.

In the middle of our discussion, my daughter began looking for her stuffed lamb she has whose name is "Precious." I was a little annoyed because I didn't think she was paying attention to the story. She assured me she was listening, but Precious had now joined us for the remainder of our discussion. Just as we were finishing up, I noticed that she had her hands over Precious' ears. I asked her what she was doing, and she responded that she didn't want Precious to hear because she was afraid it might upset him!

I put on my most serious face and told her that Precious didn't have anything to worry about because that was the great thing about Jesus' death and resurrection. We don't have to offer lambs as sacrifices anymore, nor we will ever have to again, because the One True Lamb paid that price for all time.

Blessings,

A Reputation at Stake

My daughter is in her first year of Brownie's, so I now find myself as one of the parents knocking on doors with the little girl in the brown vest asking people if they want to buy Girl Scout cookies. Now, I don't know about you, but I always look forward to Girl Scout cookie time. As a matter of fact, one year, no one knocked on my door nor did I ever see a cookie booth set up in front of any store I visited. I was very upset! I look forward to my Samoas cookies once per year! Sorry...I was reliving the trauma of that year, but I'm okay now. Where was I? Oh yes, we're selling cookies this year.

We received our cookies for delivery a little more than one week ago. We delivered most of them right away. Several days after picking them up from our troop leader, we received an email that we were not to deliver any more of either variety of peanut butter cookies. Apparently, a small portion of said cookies had been stored in a warehouse that had experienced a moisture problem, and all of the cookies in those varieties were being recalled. We were not to deliver any more of these cookies...NO EXCEPTIONS.

Girl Scouts of America has a reputation. Girl Scout cookies are a staple each year. People expect them, and many, like myself, look forward to them. As soon as Girl Scouts became aware of the problem, they took action to make certain that no more cookies were delivered knowing that ALL of the cookies had not been exposed to the moisture problem. However, rather than risk people being unhappy and damaging the Girl Scout reputation, they recalled ALL the cookies.

I began to think about the implications of this for us as Christians. Girl Scouts of America values their reputation, but what about God's reputation? Unlike the cookies, many of which were okay because they had not been in the warehouse with the moisture problem, none of us are without sin. Once the first sin was committed in the garden with Adam and Eve, every human being was doomed to sin forever more. Romans 3:23 states, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (NIV). It says ALL. That includes me, and it includes you. God knows that we are sinners. He is perfect and holy and can not look on us in our sin, and yet, He loves us so much, He was willing to sacrifice His only Son, who is without sin, that neither of them would have to be separated from us. As if that wasn't enough, He knows that even after we accept His Son as Lord and Savior of our lives, we will continue to sin. We can repent and ask forgiveness, and He will grant it, but we will continue to sin.

Still, we are His representatives here on earth. In our sin, our imperfections, the mess we sometimes make of things, He desires to use us to tell other's of Him and His love. He doesn't recall us because we might be imperfect (and we are) and say you aren't good enough to be my messenger. My reputation is at stake here, and you are not who I want proclaiming my name. How humbling is that? It's humbling and inspiring all at the same time. It inspires me to want to know Him more, to strive each day to be more like Christ, and to be the very best in His strength that I can be, so that when I see Him face to face, I can hear Him say, ..."Well done, good and faithful servant!" Matthew 25:21a (NIV)

Blessings,

Disclaimer: I am not suggesting that Girl Scouts should not have recalled the cookies. I am merely using this as an illustration to make a point.

No Greater Love

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (KJV)

On this day when we focus on the word love and the people that signify it for us, I considered a post discussing the different types of love. But then I remembered the very first Bible verse I ever learned, the one I have known since I was a child, and I realized there was nothing I could say that would have more meaning than the words of this verse. He loves me that much. He loves you that much. As you focus today on those in your life whom you love, do not forget to thank the One who loves you more than you could possibly imagine for making the ultimate sacrifice for love. If you do not know Him personally, click on the red button in my sidebar marked "Ready?" to find out how.

Valentine Blessings,

What a Find!

I just had to share with you the awesome website I found today. The author's name is Amy, and a post on her blog helped me get the signature at the bottom of my post. Not only that, after I created the signature, it had an annoying box around it, which, of course, being ignorant about these things, I had no idea how to get rid of. I went back to Amy's site, and lo and behold, she had addressed this very issue! She has lots of great tips as well as free blog templates that are available to download. If you're thinking of starting a blog, but haven't done so yet, or, if you're like me and just don't know very much about all this blogging stuff, then definitely go over and check out her site. She has lots of useful information.

Blessings,

A Weepy Day

If you read my previous post, then you know last Thursday I was having one of those days. Well, it seems like it may have turned into one of those weeks! Please indulge me here for a few moments. I'm hoping that now I'm past the worst of it, we can all share a good laugh.

If last week was a near panic attack, then today was a near meltdown! I mean of the weepy, emotional kind. I am very emotional by nature, and God thought my primary spiritual gift should be mercy. I realize He's the God of the universe, and He knows what He's doing, so I try not to question what He thought I needed. Still, there are days....

Hallmark commercials...pass the tissues, please. Sappy song on the radio...I carry tissues in the car just for this very thing! (Yes, Christmas Shoes makes me cry. I know some people think it's over the top, but I see that little boy standing at the counter instead, and I am so done!) Need someone to just "have a good cry" with you? I'm your gal. Seriously, whoever invented waterproof mascara had me in mind when they did it!

As I told you in my previous post, I've been sick. Well, I thought I was getting better over the weekend only to wake up this morning feeling much worse. Yuck, yuck, and double yuck! Neither the cleaning fairy, laundry fairy, grocery fairy, or cooking fairy visited my home while I have been out of commission. Honestly! Where do those girls hang out? I can assure you it's not here! When next I see them, I plan to tell them they are fired!

So, anyway, I was feeling quite awful this morning. So much so that I decided I needed to cancel the Bible study I facilitate in my neighborhood. I also missed the PTA board meeting today. That's three in a row. C'est la vie!

While I was able to cancel those activities, since the grocery fairy so unkindly decided against visiting my home, a trip to our local Super Walmart could not be canceled. My daughter is still tracked out of school, so I dropped her at my mother-in-law's house since she didn't think grocery shopping with me would be fun. Can you imagine? There's reason to cry right there!

On my way to Walmart, I was listening to our local K-Love station (Contemporary Christian music), and the voice of a young girl came on the radio. She wanted to request a song for her mother. The DJ, Kelly Caldwell, asked her if there was a reason behind her request, and she responded that there was. She said that her mother was having a chemo treatment today, and she listens to K-Love while she is receiving the treatment. The girl, McKayla was her name, wanted to request this song for her mother. She was at school, and her teacher had told her she could call. She then began to cry while talking to Kelly who responded that she would be praying for McKayla and her mother, and she knew all the K-Love listeners would be doing the same. Well, you can imagine. This just sent me over the edge. Now I was driving and crying! Thank goodness I was nearly to Walmart! I sat in the car trying to compose myself and wiping my very red nose before going inside.

Once inside, I took off with a vengeance trying to get in and out as quickly as possible. I still didn't feel well, and my head hurt from crying! In case you're wondering, yes, I did say a prayer for McKayla and her mother. I got to the back of the store, and wouldn't you know it...no organic milk...of any kind! I opened the freezer door peering in hopefully that there would be some kind, gracious Walmart employee back there who could get me the milk I needed. No such luck! I searched and searched and there wasn't a Walmart employee in sight! Finally, I saw a man come out of the back, and since he was wearing a button-down shirt, I assumed he was a manager. Ahhh, we're in luck. I knew he would help me. I flagged him down, and he headed in my direction. As he got closer, I saw that his shirt was embroidered "Nabisco." Shoot fire! He doesn't work here!

Bless his dear heart, he still tried to help me. He kindly asked if I needed assistance in the dairy section, and I replied that I did, but that it was okay because I understood that he didn't work there. He responded that he would be glad to go in the back for me to see if he could locate someone who could assist me. In a couple of minutes he came back out and said, "They're all cleared out back there. I think they all go on break at the same time!" Well, of course they do! They probably knew I was coming and was going to cry all over them because they didn't have my milk! To the kind Nabisco gentleman's credit, he offered again to try to locate someone for me, (he probably saw the red nose and felt sorry for me), but I assured him that I appreciated his time, and that it was okay. As a side note here, I would like to say, buy Nabisco products. They employ very nice people. Since the milk was the last item on my list, and they didn't have what I needed, nor was there anyone who knew where said milk might be hiding, I took off for the front to pay for my other groceries.

On the way to the front, I scanned every aisle in hopes that I would find someone who worked there, but, alas, they all remained elusive to me. I guess they had heard about the crazy lady with the red nose and were hiding. By the time I had reached the front of the store, I was ready to have a complete and total meltdown. Seriously. I wanted to cry over my lack of milk and the lack of anyone to help me find some. But even in the midst of this near hysteria, God intervened. The nice lady at the express checkout wasn't waiting on anyone, and seeing that I didn't have very many items in my cart (although it looked to be more than 20, which is the amount for using the express checkout, and I personally hate when people do that..that's why it's an EXPRESS checkout, but I digress) asked me if I was ready to checkout. I told her that I was, and she told me she would take me at her register. I asked if she was sure. She said yes, and I thanked her kindly. By the way, it was 23 items in case you were wondering. Fortunately, no one came up behind me while I was checking out.

I'm sure the people who were hiding from me while making my way to the front of the store were on their radios to the cashiers to be on the lookout for the lady with the red nose and to see if they could assist her and get her out of the store as soon as possible! Good thing, too! That woman being nice to me probably averted a total meltdown and the necessity for a phone call to the men in white!

And so went my weepy day. You'll be happy to know the rest of the day passed without further incident.

Blessings,

One of Those Days

I nearly had a panic attack this morning so completely overwhelmed am I feeling. Do you have those times? When you look around and feel like you could nearly suffocate from the seemingly overwhelming tasks that lie before you. Well, I'm having one of those days.

My daughter is on a year round school schedule. For those of you who are unfamiliar with that, it means that they do not attend school on a traditional calendar schedule. They attend school for nine weeks and then are out of school for three weeks. My daughter is tracked out right now, which means she is on one of her three week breaks.

Prior to her break, and during the first part of the break, she was sick. I am now sick with what she had. We usually try to take a little vacation during her track out times, and this time was no different. We had planned a ski trip to Wintergreen, VA, for this past weekend. Well, we went, but I was sick the entire time and am still getting over whatever this crud is.

Needless to say, I feel horrible physically. But now, I'm starting to feel horrible mentally and emotionally. My house is a wreck. I don't feel like cleaning. We have laundry that needs to be done from our trip. I don't feel like washing clothes. We had a horrible diet while we were away as the food choices were quite limited where we were, and we weren't there long enough for it to make sense for us to buy stuff to cook. Even if we had, we literally had no where to put any groceries in the car for the trip home! Anyway, I don't feel like cooking.

Add to this the fact that I believe God is calling me to a new area of ministry, and....well, quite frankly, I want to pull the covers over my head and not come out. I found myself telling God this morning that I couldn't do it. He had the wrong person. I can't have a ministry when I can't even keep my house clean!

I don't think I am an organized person by nature. My husband seems to think I have the personality for it as I am very methodical and meticulous. It is his opinion that I just need to learn the skills to know how to organize my time. Maybe he's right. I don't know. I only know I hate feeling like everything in my life is completely out of control.

As I was sitting there talking to God this morning, He spoke to my heart and said, "You can do all things through my Son who gives you strength." My response was, "Yes, I know that Lord, but we've been down this road so many times. I always seem to end up in the same place. I feel like I'm on a merry-go-round and can't get off." I mean, really. I'm sick of having my life be this way.

I see that things need to be different, and I start on a path of trying to have that happen. I stay the course for a while, and then I'm right back to where I began. Sometimes I feel so frustrated I could scream.

I know what it really is. Spiritual warfare. And I knew it was coming. Anytime God is moving and big things are about to happen, the enemy goes on the offensive. I know he's trying to distract me. I know he wants to make me feel inadequate and unable to do the tasks that God has called me to. I know that's how Satan operates, and still I fall prey to his schemes. This is when I need to be even more in the Word and in prayer. God has promised me that He will never leave me nor forsake me. He is with me, and He knows when I am under attack. He promises me in Isaiah 41:10, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

No, I can't do this in my own strength, but with His righteous right hand holding me up, there is nothing I can not do. Laundry, here I come.