Written by: Stevey Ukena

If you’ve ever sat down to write something, and ended up staring at a blank screen, you know what I’ve been doing. For days. Not because I don’t know what I want to say, but because I’m not sure which things I should say. It’s like the opposite of writer’s block, but just as frustrating.

To begin, I guess I should introduce myself. I’m Stevey Ukena, and I’ve been calling myself a CPer since before I actually knew what that meant. In 5th grade (far longer ago than I like to admit), I started attending little bitty Lebanon, and I’ve been there ever since. Since that time, I’ve been through high school, college, a wedding, a grown up job, and had two kiddos of my own. My awesome husband and I have taken over the junior high and high school ministry, and we have loved it. Now we spend our summers at camps (shout out to teachers having the summer “off!”), and the rest of our year hanging out with “our” kids at their extra curricular events.

I don’t know about you, but I generally have a tendency to feel like my plate has about three-too-many helpings on it, but I also can’t say no (just like when your grandma tries to get you to eat more at Sunday dinner). I’ve always been that way. I’m a go-getter and a people-pleaser (not to mention a touch OCD and completely Type A). Can anyone relate? Oh, just me? Oops.

In the world we are living in, it’s almost a requirement to over-commit yourself and not leave enough time for you. Believe me, I get it. Currently, I’m a 5th through 8th grade science teacher, a 5th grade reading teacher, and an  8th grade computer teacher. I’m a Student Council sponsor, a yearbook editor/chairperson, and library coordinator. And that’s just at school.

All too often, I feel the world starting to creep in and take over my life. Is it easier to take the night off from reading my Bible because I’ve got 4 sets of article reviews to grade? Would I rather sit and drink my coffee and watch tv than getting ready for bible study? Sure- but is that what I need to be doing?

I know, I know. We have all heard it a million times. “Stay accountable. Stay involved. Don’t quit.” But ya know why we’ve heard it a million times? Because it works.

So, here’s my ultra-nonprofessional, but 100% tried and true list for “How to [not] Do It All”

1. Make yourself a schedule. I don’t care if you are an iPhone person, an Apple Watch person, a list-maker, or a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants person. Make an appointment to hang with God. Would you schedule a Friday night get-together with friends? Shouldn’t we be able to consider our Savior as one of the most important relationships we are in? I am the person who pretty much schedules my day from the time I wake up until I’m asleep. I know what all I have to get accomplished within the 24 hours I’m given, so it’s basically a checklist from there. Ya know how I start my day? Breakfast with the hubs (aka coffee before 5 am) shortly followed by devo time after he leaves. I know that once our boys are awake, there’s about a 0.02% chance I’ll get to focus on my reading and actually listen for God, so I make it my goal to get it done once Timmo leaves for work. {If you’re wondering- I keep it relatively simple. 1-2 chapters a day from my bible (and I write and highlight in it like nobody’s business), 1-2 chapters a day from one of my devo books (currently those are The Best Yes by Lysa Terkeurst and Bittersweet by Shauna Niequist), and spending some time in prayer.} Sometimes I get to focus for 45 minutes. Sometimes it’s more like 10. However, I fully believe that God is going to work through me and use my time with Him to improve both me and those around me.

I also use a planner to write in the most meaningful verses to me each day. It’s something small that helps hold me accountable for my reading.

2. Find a group. Or a person. Whatever works for you. There’s a reason we are called to fellowship! {Check 1 John for a few references in the first chapter.} It keeps us connected, and gives God another in — believe me, friends can be pushy and send you on guilt trips if needed. And I know, college is crazy busy. Especially if you have a job or are doing extra stuff like volunteering or do a semester abroad. Find a group that works for you and with you. After camp this year, there was a group of girls that suggested we use Google Hangouts for a weekly bible study. And almost every week for the last year, we have. There are five different schedules and locations around the world involved, but we still make it work because staying connected with your group is that important. 

[P.S.: This is legit the pic we took after 2 straight weeks of camp; however, it is also the only pic of all 5 of us together in person. The other options were terrible screenshots of bible studies, so girls — you’re welcome! Ha!]

3. Give yourself Grace. Because seriously. Getting your entire 4235 item to-do list in a 24 hour period is just crazy. There’s a reason that God gives us grace. It’s not so that we can continue to live in our sins (even though we’re still going to sin and mess up). It’s not to give us a free pass to do whatever we want. It’s so that when we do fall short (and we will), He’s right there to catch us… As long as we are running towards Him. Listen, y’all. I can’t do it all, as long as I’m doing it on my own. However, I know that as long as I am truly doing my best and trying to seek God’s will for my life, He’s gonna meet me wherever I fall short & make sure those things get accomplished. The rest? In the big scheme of things, maybe they’re not so important (folded laundry, I’m lookin’ at you).

So listen. Chase God. Ask Him for help to find a group of people who get you {1 Thessalonians 2:8}. And when you mess up and fall short, get up and start chasing Him again.

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