Have you ever felt like your own personal balancing act could rival the Cat in the Hat’s? You remember him, don’t you? He’s that beloved, boastful Dr. Suess character who impressively stabilizes a cup and a cake on top of his hat, while balancing three books, a toy ship, a toy man, and a rake topped by a very upset fish. Simultaneously, one foot manages to hold up a tray with a jug of milk and a cup while his tail fans a fan and he hops on a ball.  

He put on a good show, didn’t he?  

And he felt truly proud of his performance.  

Until his unsustainable act fell apart. 

Our pride-filled balancing acts can be just as precarious, and our humility-building crashes, like the Cat’s, can be almost inevitable. 

Our efforts to prevent “all the things” from falling can come from sincere and praiseworthy attempts to make global work feel successful. 

Look at me! Look at me! Look at me now! 

I can make bread from scratch, while I homeschool my kids! 

I can chat fluently with my neighbors without a hitch! 

I can feed babies at the orphanage while I teach English--watch this! 

I can write newsletters AND Bible studies while I bike through a ditch! 

But that is not all, no that is not all… 

I can pack a tiny duffel for a summer-long trip! 

That is what Sweet Sister said, before she fell on her head. 

"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18, NIV) 

Where there is pride in our balancing acts, we can anticipate a reckoning. 

How might we prevent a tragic fall like the Cat’s? 

These questions might be helpful for prayerful reflection: 

1. What are you balancing and it is the act God wants for you right now? 




2. Is rest a regular part of your rhythm? 




3. What part(s) of your life feel out of balance? 




4. What could be eliminated or adjusted to get to a better place of balance? 




5. How are you performing and who are you performing for?