It is already October! I have actually seen Christmas ads starting to pop up. Year after year, they catch me off guard.

 

How is it possible that another year is almost over? How can it be that next year’s diaries are already on display and the shopping malls are gearing up for the Christmas rush? Where has the time gone and what on earth have I done with this year?

 

These are usually the thoughts racing through my mind as I scramble to keep up with everything. I don’t know about you, but things start to spiral and before I know it, I am running around like a headless chicken, trying to juggle 265 different work, home and family tasks all at once. And the irony? Amidst it all, I feel guilty about the other 300 things I did not get to.

 

Take a breath. There is still time. Prioritise and make sure you show yourself some grace too. Yes, if we are called to show grace to others, just as God is gracious to us, we must also be able to extend grace to ourselves. We cannot do everything perfectly all the time. We cannot always meet the world’s demands, right? And sometimes, we need to tell ourselves that is okay.

 

Remember, God is with us even in those moments when it feels like we barely have time for him. His grace is still great and enough.

 

After all, it is only October.

 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for walking with me, no matter how overwhelming and busy life feels. Help me, when things get tough, to show myself some grace and take care of myself as well. Amen.