Online Groceries and Enlarged Capacity...

Being a Mom of 2 now, online grocery shopping has become my best friend and I have no shame in my game. You order online and the next day you pull up to the store and they load your car for you, couldn't be easier or more convenient!

So Sunday night I ordered all our groceries with the plan to pick them up Monday morning. Except when I pulled up Monday morning they said they never received my order....you mean, the internet failed me?!?! (insert small temper tantrum here) So I went home with the thought that I would re-do my order and pick it up the next day, but then quickly realized the grocery shopping HAD to be done that day or my family would be eating peanut butter sandwiches for dinner. (Holla if you hear me Moms out there)

So I psyched myself up, put both kiddos in the car and geared with my shopping list walked into the store. I am happy to say that with wearing my nearly 3 week old newborn and having my almost 4 year old in the cart, we killed that trip to the grocery store! No melt downs, no hungry cries, no diaper blow outs, it was a success! I left the store feeling accomplished and confident in my Mom of 2 skills. (cue the Rocky theme song)

Why do I share that with you today friends?

See, for some of you reading this that may not seem like a big accomplishment because maybe you don't have children OR maybe you have 3 or 4 children...or more. But for me, this was a major success because it showed me my capacity had just enlarged.

Capacity -- the ability or power to do, experience, or understand something.

I am a BIG believer in always increasing your capacity. I decided a long time ago that I would be committed to always learning, always growing and always allowing God to stretch me in every area of my life. Its easy to remain comfortable in what we already know we can do, or to simply tap out and say "I can't do that" but we don't know until we try.
The beauty of our capacity being enlarged is we won't reach a new level until we just do it. Now friends, this doesn't mean if we don't nail it perfectly the first time we automatically fail or won't ever be able to do it. We must understand the beauty of the process is found in Gods grace. Only because of His grace, do we get better and better as we enlarge and take on more and more.

When I first began in full-time ministry, I quickly went from being the Childrens Pastor and Office Administrator to being the Childrens Pastor, Office Administrator, Worship Pastor and Youth Pastor.
And did I mention I was also a newlywed? I went from spinning 3 plates comfortably, to all of a sudden (at my own request) spinning 5 plates! I learned really fast what "enlarging your capacity" meant. (I also quickly learned time management skills) In that season, it took me time and a whole lot of grace to grow and excel, but leaning into God and following His lead, He equipped me to do it. I look back at that season of life and realize God used it to prepare me for so many things that come naturally to me now.

Thats the thing about enlarging our capacity; what once was the "gigantic-I'll never get the hang of this-way too difficult-cant stretch anymore-season" will soon simply become your warm up as you glide into the next season of growth.

For my husband and I, with our awesomely blessed full schedule, two children is obviously a new journey for us. A new journey that we are super excited about and have prayed for. Its a new journey filled with incredible God moments just waiting for us to unpack and explore. Its a journey in which it is necessary we lean on Gods grace in everything and realize that He has ALREADY graced us for these moments.

Being a Mom in full time ministry is a precious gift. As my capacity grows and stretches, I lean back into His grace, I listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit. I recognize the power and direction of God in my life and I trust Him to speak to me, to guide me and to lead me.

You my friend must do the same. Wherever you are, you can grow past it. However much you can handle, you can handle more. If you are currently spinning 3 plates, challenge yourself to spin 4. Teach someone else around you how to spin plate number 2 and hand it off to them so you can take on the next thing God has for you. However it looks to you today, challenge yourself to enlarge. Take a hold of Gods grace, don't expect to do it perfectly, but expect to be blown away by Gods goodness in it all. And if you need to.....order those groceries online. :)