Just Because I Can, Doesn't Mean I Should: Embracing the Beauty of Boundaries

My husband and I are what you might call “project people.” If there isn’t a home project happening, one will mysteriously appear. It’s like we have some inner radar that senses an untouched corner of the world that just needs a little update.

Most recently, we found ourselves in Florida, standing in the middle of a Florida room that clearly had potential. Naturally, we decided it was time to rip up the carpet and polish the concrete floors—because what else do you do on vacation?

Now let me set the scene: my husband rents this massive machine and pulls into the driveway. “I need help getting it out of the trunk,” he says. That was the moment I should have asked more questions.  I walk over and lay eyes on what can only be described as a beast, a large dinosaur. “How did you get this thing in here?” I ask. “Oh,” he says, “two guys at the store helped me.” Hmm. Not a great sign.

But hey, I’m strong. I rolled up my sleeves, braced myself, and somehow managed to help him get the thing down without shattering my spine. The rest of the day was a soggy blur of grinding cement, power-washing in ankle-deep water, and trying not to slip. We were cold, soaked, exhausted, and ready to call it a day when—surprise!—we had to lift the beast back into the car.

Somewhere between the wet clothes and the numbing cold, I muttered a phrase that stuck with me: “Just because I can, doesn’t mean I should.”

The Power of Saying No

That phrase—simple as it is—has become a powerful reflection point. How often do we find ourselves saying yes just because we can? Whether it’s work, ministry, social events, helping others, or even household projects, we often jump in with good intentions but little regard for our limits.

But here’s what I have learned:  Saying no isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom.  It’s acknowledging your God-given limitations and choosing to live well within them. It’s knowing that the fence around your yard isn’t there to trap you—it’s there to protect you, and to help you flourish within the space you’ve been given.

Biblical Wisdom on Boundaries

The Bible speaks often about the importance of healthy limits and self-awareness:

• Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”   Not every project or opportunity is for right now.
   
• Psalm 16:6 – “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.”   God’s boundaries are good—meant to bless, not restrict.
   
• Mark 6:31 – “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
  Even Jesus knew the importance of stepping away to rest and reset.

Learning to Love the Fence

Sometimes we peer over the fence and long for what’s on the other side—someone else’s season, calling, energy level, blessings, or accomplishments. But the truth is, what’s inside your fence is beautiful, too. It’s the space where you can grow, heal, enjoy, and thrive. It’s where you begin to live out your story—the one God specifically gave to you.

Carrying too much—even good things—can lead to unnecessary strain and injury, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. Just like I could’ve seriously hurt myself lifting that cement grinder, our “yeses” can weigh us down when we don’t pause to consider the cost.

Boundaries give us space to breathe, to be present, and to say “yes” to what truly aligns with our current season.

Reflection

So, here’s my gentle encouragement to you (and to myself):  Pause before you say yes. Ask yourself—not just “Can I?”—but “Should I?”  Trust the boundary lines. They’re drawn in love.

And remember: You don’t have to carry everything.  Even the heavy stuff in the trunk.