I had created a mess! -- and lately I have been trying to clear it.

I have confronted the almost impossible task of getting "caught up and cleared away" after years of falling behind.

For my years of ministry I have worked without taking any time off to keep my life and ministry in order. I have been throwing back, piling up, and sticking away for 18 years -- just keeping a path cleared so that I could take the next step forward.

But the pile finally caught up with me.

Know what I mean?

Been there, done that?

Some of you know what It's like to have all that "stuff" you've pushed aside for years suddenly confront you as a problem in your life.

My garage was full -- without a car in it.

And that first storage unit was full -- so I had rented another one.

I dreaded people asking me for anything. I couldn't find it.

But finally all the "little" things left undone-piled up together -- were now a very big thing. And this "backlog" was becoming a drag on my ministry.

I had created a mess!

But for most of our problems, we can only blame ourselves -- and that makes us feel guilty -- or worse -- stupid'.

So here I was -- absolutely overwhelmed by a backlog of both "stuff" and old commitments -- and knowing that I was both guilty -- and stupid.

I had dug the hole. I had jumped in. Now I had to get out.

But that didn't seem possible. Where would I find either the time -- or the energy?

And what about you? What do you do when you find yourself in a hole of your own digging?

If Jesus is the way -- he is also the way out. Gospel lesson No. 1: "Don't ever give up." So I didn't!

More about this next time.