Too Tired

"The Lord replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."  Exodus 33:14 (NIV)

BUZZ!!  The alarm went off.  I typically never hear the alarm go off.  On this particular day, I was tired - way too tired to get out of bed.  Yet, I managed to put one foot on the floor and the day began.  That evening, I reflected on why I might have been so tired and the many times in my life when I have felt that way.  Working all week and then working all weekend on house projects has left me totally exhausted - usually physically exhausted.  There have also been times at work, that have left me absolutely mentally exhausted.  Yes, there have also been times when situations with certain relationships have left me emotionally exhausted.  I am sure many of you can relate to this type of exhaustion - when anything more has me saying, "I'm just too tired."  

Nothing prepared me for the words, "You have cancer."  Nothing prepared me for the journey that was in front of me after hearing those words.  Nothing prepared me for the utter exhaustion of that journey.  In this case, the exhaustion was certainly:

   Physical - the chemo and radiation took its toll on my body

   Emotional - the up and down of emotions that come with cancer

   Mental - the constant thoughts of "what ifs"

Yet, the exhaustion that also came to light at this point in my life was spiritual exhaustion.  As the days of my cancer journey moved forward, praying and talking to God seemed to yield nothing.  Treatments moved forward, I felt worst.  The pain, the exhaustion, the sickness were all signs that I was getting better but it certainly didn't feel that way.  Eventually, I became too tired to talk to God anymore.  I was too tired to pray.  God did continue to give me many things - one that I hung on to, Simple Faith.

Although we may be Christians, we have never been promised a perfect life here on Earth.  Things have happened to all of us that have brought forward exhaustion - painful, physical traumas; disappointing and abusive relationships; death of loved ones; financial crisis.  All of these things can lead us to being too tired to talk to God.  Yet, the beauty of God shines through in many different ways - as expressed in our verse for today.  Our Dear Lord will continue to walk with us and give us rest, we just need to have Simple Faith.  Maybe you are exhausted and don't know where to turn.  Do one thing for me.  Take two minutes, close your eyes, and imagine Jesus sitting next to you, holding your hand.  Open your eyes and know that He IS there - providing you the hope and will to go on.  Too Tired?  Get Faith - Simple Faith - that God is right there with you helping you move on.

Dearest Jesus, sometimes this earthly life has us feeling too tired to give any more.  During these times, may we turn to you and know you are there with us, taking us by the arm, and helping us to move forward.  May we continue to have faith that you are there for us each and every moment, guiding us with your forever love and hope.  In your name we pray, Amen~

Moving Away

"For the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."  Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)

If I had to sum up in one word for our family what this spring and summer holds for us, it would be the word MOVING.  Almost every member of our family seems to be doing some sort of moving.  It began with my mom moving out of her home of 20+ years into a smaller, more manageable, apartment.  Next saw our son moving from a cramped bed on an aircraft carrier, to a nice apartment with a regular-sized bed.  The next move will be one of our daughters from an older home to an apartment building a bit closer to the city of Boston.  The last move will be another daughter moving from an older home into an apartment building as well.  What has all this moving taught me?

• Moving away from something you have been attached to for a long time can be difficult.  There were lots of memories in my mom's house, memories for her and our family.  Also, being so attached to a home can have you wondering at times, "Am I making the right decision?"
• Moving can take us out of our comfort zone.  When I saw where our son has been sleeping for the last year, I was excited that he will have an opportunity to sprawl out a bit and be more comfortable - that alone was exciting.  Yet, he will have different responsibilities now with his first apartment that may take him out of his comfort zone.
• Moving can be scary.  Will the new apartments coincide to the finances that are necessary?  Will there be unexpected costs that weren't planned for?
• Moving can yield uncertainty.  There are plenty of times when moving family members already where the words, "What if. . . ." have been at the beginning of a sentence.

Moving away from comfort, whether it is a home of 20+ years or a small bunk, can yield all sorts of emotions.  Among the uncertainty, is a great big God that says, "Bring it on!"  These new and different scenarios are important for our growth here on earth.  It is also important for our growth with our Heavenly Father.  While life around one moving can bring up many different emotions, we can be grounded in the One that knows the plans that lie ahead for us.  He is there, guiding the way, as long as we allow Him to do the guiding.

As our verse for today shares, He has a future and a hope for us.  By putting the words, future, hope and God all in one sentence, I feel confident that what is ahead for my family will be surrounded in Jesus' love.  He will watch over all of them.  He will guide them to goodness.  He will provide for them.  For the couple of us who aren't moving this year?  Have simple faith that He will provide that same assurance for our future needs as well.  Moving can hold many anxious moments.  Remember, that moving can also hold a future and a hope - one that rests squarely with God.

Heavenly Father, change, especially moving, can move us not just physically, but emotionally as well.  Help us to remember that you are with us, guiding our needs and our future.  May we rely on your judgment to bring us all that we need, simple faith that you have our best interest in your hands.  Thank you Jesus!!

Coming Together

"Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble."  1 Peter 3:8 (NIV)

As the days passed, I thought about the twelve Thailand boys that waited, patiently, to be rescued.  In a dark cave, with no light, no food and no water, these boys and their coach waited.  They waited together.  They waited with hope.  They waited with guidance from ones with knowledge.  They waited to be rescued.  Along with many of you, my heart were transferred to them, praying for them when we learned the news of what was happening.

They were found, but the waiting fight was not over.  Although they were now privy to food and water, we watched the world surrounding them come together to decide how to rescue them.  People thousands of miles away joined the team of people dedicated to their survival.  Rescue workers from many countries came together. Resources from many countries came together.  Prayers from many countries came together.  I watched this and my heart swelled for mankind.  As they all took a step forward to bring these boys and their coach to safety, my amazement increased.  

I have been those boys.  I have passed through times when I have felt as if I was in a dark cave with no sustenance.  I waited with hope.  I waited with guidance from others.  I waited to be rescued from the darkness I was experiencing.  Those times of my life have been excruciating. During those dark times, there were those that judged what was happening in my life and it hurt as much as the darkness did.  Yet, as I look back upon those times, I realize that that there were people from many different areas of my life praying for me.  Just as prayers encircled those boys, there were teams of people praying for my rescue.  It was hard to recognize it at that time.  Yet, I know it is true.  How?

Just like these boys and their coach, I was brought to the light.  Through rescue efforts of those around me, through prayers of many, through the guidance of my Heavenly Father, I was able to leave the cave of darkness and reach for the joyous light.  Jesus showed me the way.  He gave me the courage to leave the darkness and live on in His ever-radiant light. 

People and countries find so many differences in each other.  We look at why we are different and build our thoughts and prejudices around that.  Yet, for a moment in time in Thailand, all the differences were thrown away and faith, hope, knowledge and guidance brought peace to those in need.  The word miracle is the only way to describe that. 

Maybe you are in a dark place right now.  Maybe you have experienced being in a dark place before.  Brothers and sisters, I know what that is.  Know that you have a circle of people around you, praying for you, waiting with you and a loving Jesus who is ready to guide you into the light.  Follow him in His word - it will bring you the joy you need.  Hope and guidance is gained in the simple faith that we can all come together into the light. 

Dearest Jesus, we thank you for being with the boys and coach in the cave.  Thank you for giving them hope and faith as they waited to come into the light.  I ask that you be with those that are, or that know of, people who are in the dark right now.  Jesus, provide them the hope that they need to wait with hope, receive guidance with knowledge, and feel your loving arms around them.  Bring those from the darkness into the light - the light that only You can provide.  In your gracious name we ask these things.  Amen!

Crazy Change

"I the Lord do not change.  So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed."

Malachi 3:6 (NIV)

I looked up the definition of a heat wave.  It stated that it is extended periods of hot weather.  This past week saw a heat wave here in New Hampshire.  Temperatures were 90+ and the humidity was unbearable.  Bottom line, it was just down right yucky.  Air conditioners were humming and people were doing just about anything to stay cool.  As quickly as the hot weather came, it left.  Friday night had us sitting on our patio, with me in a sweatshirt.  The change was SO fast!

It made me think about other changes going on in our world today.  No matter where I turn, there seems to be change abounding. 

Change is all around us:

• Change at workplaces is faster than ever before - changing processes, changing systems, changing people.
• Change at schools is faster than ever before - changing curriculum, changing guidelines.
• Change at churches is faster than ever before - changes in outreach and how to witness to communities.
• Change in relationships & communication - the ability to reach people 24/7 in many different ways.

There are times when all of the change around me purely overwhelms me.  It can make me wonder, "Am I changing fast enough, will I be able to keep up, what if the world passes me by?"  My heart will actually beat faster and I can become anxious.  Isn't anything staying the same?

Then I breathe, I smile, and I remember the verse for today.  There is one person who does not change, Jesus!  When the life of today has me questioning, I turn to the rock that I know will always be there and will be the same today, tomorrow, forever.  In Jesus I can take refuge through all this change.  I know He will be there for me, to catch me amidst all of the chaos, among all of the change.  He will be there to calm my nerves and to help me grow.  He will be there to guide me through the changes of this world so that I can experience the constant of His world!  

When life has us wondering if we can keep up with the changes of the world, let us remember that there is one we can go to for comfort and guidance.  Sit down with Jesus.  Let Him know your fears.  Share your anxious thoughts.  Then remember to LISTEN to what He has to say to you.  For it is in the listening, the simple faith of listening, that we will find peace.

Gracious Father, the change happening in today's world can send our minds racing.  Help us to come to you when it becomes overwhelming.  May we share what is on our hearts and may we hear what you have to say.  Through simple faith may be find the peace among the chaos.  In your holy name we pray.  Amen!

Protection

"The Lord is my protector; he is my strong fortress.  My God is my protection, and with him I am safe.  He protects me like a shield; he defends me and keeps me safe."  Psalm 18:2 (GNT)

The car thermostat read 101 degrees as my husband and I drove along today.  Under any conditions, dry heat or not, that is hot - especially in New England.  This girl likes it at a tepid 80, so this is WAY out of my comfort zone - literally!  As we drove along the cost, the beaches were packed with people, barely a slip of paper fitting between them.  While people watching I'm thinking - can you imagine how much sunscreen is on that beach?

Sunscreen does the job of protecting the skin against the harmful rays of the sun.  In essence, wherever you put the sunscreen, it is now a shield or barrier against a bad sunburn - keeping the person safe.  As I thought about sunscreen, it actually took me to our Lord, and this wonderful verse.  Some of you may be more familiar with the NIV version, "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and deliverer; . . ."  Often the NIV translation is what I use, but in this particular case, I love the word protector.

Life can be hard.  Maybe we aren't dealing with anything catastrophic (that is my prayer for all my readers).  Yet, the ins and outs of general life can take its toll.  Maybe the workload at our jobs has us feelimg as if we are climbing out of a barrel.  Maybe the pressures of children have us pulling our hair out.  Maybe the requests of friends and family seem to be pulling at your last nerve.  Where do you turn when those daily struggles seem to be getting the best of you?

When this world seems to be giving me more than my fair share of tough days, knowing that God is protecting me and keeping me safe brings me such comfort.  Life isn't always easy; sometimes it is just plain hard.  Yet, when those days arrive, I know that God is around me, like a force field, ensuring that the world doesn't bring me down.  This verse is my constant reminder that God is on MY side, protecting me, defending me, and bringing me peace.  How important is this verse?  I actually keep it in my day timer at work - letting me glimpse at it when the day may be getting the best of me.  Keeping this verse close is keeping God close - and when I have Him close to me, I can never get burned!!

Dearest Lord, thank you for being my protector.  As you well know, life here on Earth isn't always easy.  Yet, with you as my shield from all that is bad, I know that I am on the winning side.  With your protection, I'm not only safe from daily struggles, I'm also safe from the devil and all that he tries to do to bring me down.  May I be reminded every day of the protection and love you so willingly provide to me.  Thank you Jesus - Amen!