I'm feeling a little worn this morning.
Do you ever feel totally exhausted and worn out, even before the new day begins? I confess in all my perpetual busyness, I've felt that way a lot recently. The last two months have been packed to the brim with loan legal papers, doctor's appointments, sewing classes, and volunteer stuff for church and community. We're in the process of buying a house, and plan on moving within the next two weeks, so there are packing tape and boxes strewn all around. We're trying to look at and register for baby things for an upcoming shower, which is fun, but time consuming. I've had four to five days of classes each week for most of the last month. Don't get me wrong...I love what I do, but long stretches of time on my feet running from sewing machine to sewing machine and telling kids for the bazillionth time that their stitches look just fine can get pretty exhausting. Meanwhile there is food to be eaten or cleaned out of the freezer, sewing samples to finish, house-closing activities to schedule, and they are looking for new renters for our duplex, so a couple of times a week I try to straighten the packing mess and then disappear for a while so our landlord can do a showing. Nate's been logging long hours on a big project again also, which means that by the time both of us make it home and manage to eat supper (usually around 8 o'clock) we're too tired to even talk to each other. Oh, and did I mention that I caught a nasty sinus cold thingy last weekend (which I have succeeded in giving to Nate)?
I know, I know. I'm complaining. I also know I have perhaps the least reason of anyone on this planet to complain. I have thousands of reasons to be thankful and grateful. There are people who live this kind of crazy lifestyle all the time and like it. There are people who work much longer hours doing much more physically demanding jobs, and put up with much more difficult conditions. At some point however, everybody reaches their tired+frazzled=melt down point. At one time or another, we all feel worn. The question is, do we let it get to us, or do we press the STOP button and take some time to get quiet and refocus on what is really important?
As soon as Nate was out the door this morning I resolved to do just that. I know that if I let the stress and tension build it will only get worse, and things will get ugly. So, I headed for my quiet spot, to cast my cares up to the Heavenly Father who has always taken such good care of me in the past. "Be still, and know that I am God!" Psalm 46:10 says (NLT). The rest of this Psalm talks about earthquakes, tsunamis, war, and political chaos, then slips in the subtle reminder that even though the sky appears to be falling (says Chicken Little) God is still God, and his armies are on our side. 'This is what the Soverign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength."' Isaiah 30:15 NLT. Stewing or fretting about things isn't going to get me anywhere, but taking a break from the craziness of daily life, and shifting my focus back onto Jesus will help me get my priorities straight again.
Then I came across a golden little nugget in Exodus, chapter 14. The Israelites have just left Egypt, upsetting their way of life and moving with only the things they could carry. The now stand facing the Red Sea, with the Egyptian army hard upon their heels and their lives in danger. Sounds way more intense than my house-buying, moving, over-involved issues, huh? They are starting to quake in their sandals, thinking that all is lost and it's time to throw in the towel, when Moses gets up and says "Don't be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today. The [troubles] you see today will never be seen again. The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm." Exodus 14:13 NLT. They probably looked at him as if he were crazy. What a trust-filled response! It looks hopeless, but don't worry...it will all turn out okay. That's the kind of hope-filled confidence we can have when God is on our side, and we're looking to him! I love what happens next...God tells Moses to get the people moving...start marching into the sea. You probably know what happens next. Go boldly towards the challenge, then wait and see how God's glory will be revealed.
Kind of a cool pick-me-up I thought. It's still going to be a busy day. I still have lots of things to get done, but they are no longer quite so scary or so important anymore. I know whatever happens, if I'm trusting God He'll see me to the end of it all, and HE will be glorified.
Final thought, if you're feeling worn, listen to the song Worn by Tenth Avenue North (video with lyrics below). It's not only a heart cry to God, but a powerful reminder of the promises He has in store for us.
