Harvest season is here, and it's not just about pumpkins and apple cider. It's about pausing to take stock of what we've sown, what we've reaped, and what's still growing. Not everything we've picked up is meant to stay. Maybe this is your moment to clear the clutter and to make space for what truly matters.

Because, in the middle of it all, it's so easy to say yes. Bringing dinner to a friend in need is a beautiful act of service. Helping in the church nursery on Sundays is a gift. Joining a Bible study and building relationships with other women is life-giving. Using the gifts God has given you in your work is part of your calling. These are all good things.

But even a pile of good things can become a heavy burden that keeps us from the best things God has for us. We end up skimming the surface of our lives, never having the capacity to go deep.

The problem isn't the activities themselves. It's the heart behind our "yes." So, why do we do it?

Why do we say yes when our plate is already overflowing?

If we're honest, overcommitment is rarely just about wanting to do good. It's often rooted in something deeper. Sometimes it's guilt, a nagging feeling that we aren't doing enough. Other times, it's fear. Fear of rejection, fear of missing out, fear of disappointing someone. It can also be plain old people-pleasing, where our genuine desire to love people well gets tangled up with a need for their approval. We say yes to avoid an uncomfortable conversation or the possibility that someone might think less of us.

But our first calling is to steward what God has placed in our hands, and we can't do that well if we're allowing ourselves to be pulled in every direction. When we say yes to everything (even the good), we end up missing the depth that comes from being present and intentional. Our energy gets scattered, our joy thins out, and the richness God wants for us slips through the cracks.

The story of Mary and Martha reminds me that not all good things are the best things. "You are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:41-42, New International Version). While Martha was doing, Mary was simply being — choosing to do what mattered most and sit with Jesus.

Sometimes, the invitation is to set down the busy and be present with Him, trusting that the deeper thing is worth more than a packed to-do list.

Saying no is an act of trust: trusting that God's plans are better than a calendar full of obligations. Before agreeing to anything new, pause and gently ask yourself: Is my yes rooted in joy and purpose? Or am I seeking approval? Or accepting it out of guilt?

And remember, not every good opportunity is meant for you. Some doors are meant to stay closed or to be held open for someone else. Pray for wisdom and trust God to guide your steps.

Ask God to make it clear which opportunities are from Him and which are just distractions.

Okay, we know when to say no, but how do we actually do it?

Start by getting real with your calendar. Before you add another commitment, look at what's already there and ask: Do I have the time and energy for this? What will I need to set aside if I say yes? Ask: "Is this mine to carry right now, or is it a 'not yet' or even a 'no'?" The more you practice handing over your decisions to Him, the more peace and confidence you'll find in each yes, no, and not now. Over time, making these pauses a habit will help you shape a rhythm where your decisions reflect what truly matters.

Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full," (John 10:10). Real fullness doesn't come from a calendar stuffed with commitments, it's found in a life centered on God's presence, purpose, and peace. Living open-handed means we trust Him to guide what we carry and what we set down, believing that His invitations lead to true abundance.

Choosing to release overcommitment is a daily act of faith. It's giving up the hustle and trusting that God's best for us isn't buried in busyness, but in margin, rest, and surrender. When we create space for His Spirit, we find ourselves able to say yes to the things that truly matter—knowing our worth and direction are anchored in Him.

As you walk through this harvest season, what could you lay down? Where is God inviting you to make room so that you can gather more of His goodness and experience a life that feels a little less frantic and a whole lot more full?

Saying No to Say Yes