Living in the Land of Just in Time

Lately I find myself living in the Land of Just in Time.

That’s the place where there are so many things on my schedule, so much going on, and so many thoughts and plans and reminders running through my head at any given moment that I no sooner finish one task that I find myself running into the planning for the next one.

Even though my calendar is laid out months in advance, I can only focus on one day at a time.

There’s no advance planning, no pre-organization and no step-by-step calculations. It’s run, run, run from one thing to the other, and get everything done just in time.

I made it to that meeting just in time.

I remembered the dentist appointment and got my daughter out of school just in time.

I ordered the dog’s medicine just in time.

I bought the birthday present just in time.

I can’t do anything about that activity planned for tomorrow because I’m too busy getting the one for today done, just in time.

I didn’t plan to find myself here. As a matter of fact, it’s a bit embarrassing since I’m always talking about the importance of saying “no” and cutting back.

But let’s face it.

Sometimes I can’t say no.

I can’t say no to the dentist appointment. I can’t say no to that thing I committed to and people are counting on me to keep my word. I can’t say no to washing the kid’s uniform, signing the permission slip or helping a friend who just needs a few words of encouragement.

I can’t say no to the toddler who wants one last story or the little girl who wants one last hug. I can’t say no to the important talks before bed or the silly jokes that bring some laughter into the busy.

I can’t say no to finally having a private conversation with my husband, even if it can’t start until 10pm.

So I suppose, in this season, I’ll be living for a bit in the Land of Just in Time.

I’ll try not to worry so much about the things I can’t get to or the things I wish I could do. I’ll try not to beat myself up when, every time I arrive I have to start with, “Sorry I’m late.”

Instead, I’ll try to focus on the things I CAN do right here and right now. I can keep my word. I can do my best. I can love my husband and care for my kids.

Those things I can do, and it’s ok if they’re just in time. Because sometimes just in time is the same as right on time.