"God won't give you more than you can handle" #lies

Recently a sweet mom friend mentioned how she used to be a believer of the saying "God won't give you much more than you can handle" but now was having a really hard time believing it. I wanted to ease her mind and tell her that it's a load of poop.

If this statement were true, moms all over the country would not be on the verge of an emotional and mental breakdown right now. We wouldn't be stressed out with the reality that working from home (or for some still going into work), making sure schooling gets done, that kids are fed, home is kept in some kind of order, on top of meeting emotional needs for our kiddos and partners. 

I lost faith in that saying a LONG time ago and still find myself saying "God, why? I can't handle all this at once." A mom blogger put it this way and it was so true, we are "trying to function in the unfunctionable"  Hell.yes. NONE of this is normal, and NO ONE has got it down. Yet, the way my brain sees it is "i'm failing at all this." How have I not gotten it together after doing this since mid March?!

Last year was hard for us as a family unit, with my husband going through some crazy anxiety and depression. But these last 7 weeks, has kicked my butt in a different way. I'm with my children 24/7, juggling school work with 3 girls, who have very different personalities and a toddler who is fierce and wants mommy to just sit with her while she puts Mr Potato head together. Juggling emotions, as my girls all process (in their own way)  being away from their friends and teachers. I have literally felt like banging my head up against a wall while helping my 4th grader with math, getting my 3rd grader to calm down after having a melt down because she doesn't understand an assignment, getting my kindergartner to pay attention to her zoom class and getting my 2 yr old a snack, pretty much all at once.

 Something's wrong if God thought I could handle all that.

See, what it all boils down to, is that I am being exposed. My mess, my attitude, my lack of patience, my selfishness, my pride. I've yelled, I've cried, I've gotten frustrated in front of my kids more in the last month and a half than I think I ever have. Don't get me wrong, my girls have seen messy mommy and I've had to apologize lots for mommy's behavior.. But this takes the cake and it's doing a number on my mind. 

You know what though? Can I tell you, what makes that stupid saying "God won't give you more than you can handle" nonesense? Is that if it were true we wouldn't need grace, we wouldn't need forgiveness, we wouldn't need to muster up the strength to keep going. We would be robots. 

Momma, God is right there, by your side to let you know that tomorrow can be a better day and if not then the next day or the next day. That no matter how many times we feel like we are screwing up HE makes up the difference. He cleans up the mess, wipes our tears, our childrens tears. He holds you and allows you to mess up because no matter what He still loves you. NO MATTER WHAT. 

One of my saving graces, (because my husband coming home to wash the dishes, help clean up and do bedtime is #1) is being able to see women I admire in bible study, and last night this prayer showed up in our study and man did it speak to my heart and I hope it does for you...

"God I need your help. Doing my life on my own in my own strength just isn't working, I want to stop being the center of my life. I want you to come in and take control. Be merciful to me, a sinner. I need Jesus' sacrifices for my sins. I need to stop trusting in my own righteousness. Thank you for the gift of Grace." 

(Grace Through the Eyes of Jesus" by Paul Miller)

You are not alone,
Natasha