We all wear a lot of hats.
This past weekend, I tried to become very overwhelmed as to just how many hats I wear. Here’s just a few:
mom           preschool director                                    monthly nursery volunteer
sister          Adult Sunday School teacher                              grocery shopper
daughter   Sparks Leader (K-2nd grade, Wed. nights)    menu planner
wife            Christmas assistance family coordinator        homework helper

Since I almost had a full-on meltdown two years ago during this time of year, I’ve learned how to balance my plate to prevent a repeat event. I truly want to celebrate this season in a manner that centers on Christ’s birth. Me stressing out about all those hats is doing the opposite of what I just described.

This year, however, God & I added three things to my plate (actually, could we call it a platter?!), and I’m trying to strike a new balance. This created room—room for The Enemy to try to steal my joy.
And *that* created room for God to do His Thing in my life. (I LOVE it when God does His Thing!)

Here’s what He asked of me:
Instead of wearing ALL those hats, why don’t you drop ALL of them and pick up ONE umbrella? My umbrella–the umbrella I have over you as my child.

Drop all those hats and just be a child of God.

That sounded beautiful. It sounded freeing. It sounded wonderful. And it was!

Now, I am just focusing on being God’s child. Obeying Him in each step, just one step at a time.

Under His umbrella, I am protected, for He is my strong tower.
Under His umbrella, I am safe, for He is my refuge.
Under His umbrella, I am strong, for He is my strength.
Under His umbrella, I am guided, for He is my path.
Under His umbrella, I am rested, for He is my safe haven.

Under His umbrella, there are no more hats, and as much as I love to wear hats, I’m happy to drop all the ones I’ve been juggling.

For God’s umbrella to work for me, I must know Him and be known by Him.
How can I be known by Him, if I don’t talk with Him?
How can I know His direction for me, if I don’t take time to listen?
If I take the time to listen, how can I know where He is leading?
To know where He is leading, I must be tuned to His voice.
How can I know His voice, if I don’t read His Word?

Take the time to read God’s Word, the Bible. Doing so will literally change your life. It will be an awesome transformation. Just reading the following words in my Bible provide such peace, and this is just a small morsel of the Bible! Check out these words of David found in the book of Psalm:

“Hear my cry, O God;
Give heed to my prayer.
From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For You have been a refuge for me,
A tower of strength against the enemy.
Let me dwell in Your tent forever;
Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings.”
Psalm 61:1-4

Come dwell in His tent; take refuge in the shelter of His wings. Drop your hats, pick up one umbrella.

Just be a child of God. Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it?