Waking up Tired
I woke up tired this morning. Not the kind of tired that can be fixed by going back to bed. It was the tired that comes from focusing on the cares of life…you know, the stuff that makes life hard sometimes. I drove my son to work and dropped him off. With no warning, I began crying on the drive back home and pouring out my woes to God. He just listened patiently. When I emptied it all out and wiped my eyes, I looked out the window from the hill I was ascending on and noticed how beautiful everything looked after yesterday’s summer shower. The trees were greener than they had been in this year of drought. The dust was washed away; contrasting against the deep blue sky, still dotted with white clouds. Before I realized what was happening, my mouth opened and words of thanksgiving poured out. I began thinking about where God has placed me and how lovely it is here. I thought about how He has blessed me over the years and before I knew it I truly felt thankful for all the “stuff” I blamed previously for wearing me out.
It was as though He had sent His rain in my heart to wash away the complaining…the weariness, the worn, and replace it with something much better – gratitude. I felt like those washed trees out my window, clean and a bit sparkly with my new attitude. My tears, like rain, needed to come. They needed to wash down my face and wash my eyes clean so I could see my life clearer, and see all the wonderful things God is doing here. Yes, some days are tough. Sometimes I will be tired and feel worn, but I can’t possibly be worn out…not really, not yet; not until He is done with me and what He is doing in my life. Frankly, I don’t want that to stop prematurely.
In the Bible, Paul didn’t liken life to a leisurely walk littered with cushioned benches to sit and enjoy the view, no; he likened it to a race. When I was in Jr. High I ran track, so I know what it’s like to run a race – it’s hard! It takes endurance, practice, persistence, and every bit of strength you have. The great thing about the race Christians run is that we don’t just have a coach telling us what to do; we have God who gave us His Spirit to enable us to do it. We have everything it takes to win the race!
So I will put my running shoes back on, tie the laces tight, take a deep breath, and get back in the race.
How about you…ready to run?
Amen,charlotte,God gives us so much,You are truley his child.
I have so been here, Charlotte. And I am sure there will be days when I wake up tired. Thank you for the reminder to let God’s love wash over us and let Him help us to finish the race…well.