Jenifer Metzger : Get Some Help Already

If you want it done right, do it yourself.

Have you ever said that? Most of us probably have at some point in life. As women, we tend to think we have to do it all in order for it to be right.

I get groceries once a week. When I get home, I take a load into the house and begin putting groceries away while the kids collect the remaining bags. They lay the bags on the kitchen counter, unpack them and leave everything sit there. Notice I didn't say they put things in the cabinets. It's because I am so crazy picky about how the groceries are put up. My 18 year old daughter often tries to help put the groceries away and I stop her. I remind her, I am too picky, just let me so I know it is done right. Recently I noticed that she was putting them up right. What a huge help to know I don't have to do this task alone! What a relief it could have been years ago had I just taken the time to show the kids how to do it the way I like.

I've found the same is true in ministry. We think that since we know the vision and how we want something done, it's much easier to just do it ourselves. That's exhausting.

Moses experienced this very same thing. Everyone was coming to him to learn about God and to be the judge when there was a dispute. His father-in-law saw this and knew what was going to happen: Moses was going to exhaust himself.

So Moses' father-in-law said to him, "The thing that you do is

is not good. Both you and these people who are with you

will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too

much for you; you are not able to perform it by

yourself. Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel,

and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people,

so that you may bring the difficulties to God. And you

shall teach them the statues and the laws, and

show them the way in which they must walk and the

work they must do. Moreover you shall select from all the

people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating

covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers

of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties,

and rulers of tens. And let them judge the people

at all times. Then it will be that every great matter

they shall bring to you, but every small matter they

themselves shall judge. So it will be easier for you, for

they will bear the burden with you. If you do this thing,

and God so commands you, then you will be able

to endure, and all this people will also go to

their place in peace.

Exodus 18:13-23

Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, gave him great advice. Simply put: get help! We can't do it all alone. Not in motherhood. Not in homemaking. Not in ministry. Not in life. We need someone to ease our burden before we simply exhaust our self.

If you feel as though no one can do it like you want, there are two great answers. One, be open to new ways. Though it's hard to understand, there is more than one way of doing things. Your way may be really great. It's worked for you for years. But maybe some else has a way that is even better or more efficient. I am learning to work smarter, not harder! Two, train them. If your wanting your kids to help with the house work, train them to do it properly.

Maybe you need help in homemaking. Maybe you are exhausting yourself in motherhood. Maybe you are over your head in ministry. Whatever it is, just remember that you cannot do it alone. God's Word tells us over and over how two are better than one and how iron sharpens iron. We need others. So friends, get some help already!