I had to look this up. An octopoda is a family of eight-armed creatures. The octopus is the best known of this group. To me, they are fascinating to watch. They move fluidly, yet they look awkward. Those arms are always moving up and down.

I’ve never really watched long enough to find out what an octopus does with all of those arms, but I often wish I had eight for myself.

How do you do all the things you’re supposed to do and still have a life?

First, don’t do it all. Find someone to help you. Most of us have people around us who want to help us carry the load. The church is loaded with volunteers simply waiting to be asked.

Second, don’t do it all period. Learn what only you can do and do it to the best of your ability. Learn to say no (kindly, gently, and with concern for the other person). Don’t agree to do things you’re not good at.

One of my favorite stories is the multiple number of people through the years who have come to my office to tell “their goals for me.” Think about that. It’s not their goals for themselves; it’s their goal for me.

Unless the person wants you to conform to the image of Christ, don’t accept their goals for you.

Don’t take on other people’s monkeys. I’m sure you get the analogy. They want to take their monkey and put it on your back. If that happens, eight arms are not enough.

Third, manage your calendar. Don’t overbook. Your schedule is not going to get better the closer it gets; it is going to get worse. You really don’t have eight arms. You can only do what you can do.

Fourth, exercise self-control over your life and your schedule. “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls” (Proverbs 25:28). An out of control person has no walls or guardrails to keep him out of the ditches.

We need the guardrail of God’s Spirit to give us self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

You aren’t an octopod, and you aren’t a machine. Don’t be anxious about what you will eat or what you will wear. Your Heavenly Father knows and cares (Matthew 6:25-34).

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