I resonate with Donald. S. Whitney, “The older you get, the more you tend to accumulate responsibilities like barnacles.”
Just when I think I am moving through the waters of 2022 smoothly, one morning I wake up and it starts to feel like hard work. Hauling myself out of the metaphorical water, I realise that a collection of small and large responsibilities is contributing to this drag. How did I collect so many, I wonder? How did I take on so many responsibilities? And why me?
I’m told, that all boats that are moored in the water need to come out from time to time to have the barnacles scraped off. Barnacles happen. These sticky little crustaceans love boats because they are so solid and strong, with surfaces easy to stick to. And the ocean is full of barnacles looking for a host to cling to. To save the boat’s paint job, the best way to remove barnacles is one by one with a putty knife.
And so, like barnacles, additional responsibilities seem to have attached themselves to me, increasing the drag and my inefficiency. I don’t want to cover myself in antifoul, so nothing at all becomes my responsibility. But I do need to be mindful of removing any unnecessary responsibilities when they are small, and not-so-stubborn to pry free. Much easier to remove a lone barnacle than a whole colony.
I acknowledge that over responsibility is an issue of mine. Being dependable and solid is a good thing. But it is possible to go too far. Before long I become overwhelmed with obligations and lose my ability to do anything well at all. Perhaps, I will never stop the accumulation of responsibilities, but the lesson here, is to be diligent in removing unnecessary duties when they are small.
This is my mood, as the middle of the year looms. When will I learn I am human, and there are limits to what I can achieve anymore? Taking stock of what’s mine and what belongs to another, is a start. Experts say for those of us that are over responsible, it’s time to do something just for fun, and ignore the to-do list for a moment more.
But, how can I do that, when I hear of war, and rumor of war on distant shores? It is hard not to be alarmed or feel some responsibility at all. My neighbor is suffering, there are people going hungry, and families without a home. How is any of this not mine to be responsible for?
Well, some of it is; but, not all! I am reminded once again that I am but one human, and not the saviour of it all. There is another, called Jesus, who is the Saviour of this world. My responsibility is to listen to His voice, to be sure what is mine to be responsible for, what belongs to others, and that which I can leave with Him. Perhaps, I can also ask for help to remove some of those barnacles I have collected on the way.
On the Blog! 