Feeling Weary lately?
I asked Julie Love, one of our leaders, to write a guest blog. I think you will relate to it! Julie facilitates VLI here at the Vineyard and leads a small group.
Feeling Weary
Some days I get so weary taking care of everyone in my life. Between my husband, children, elderly parents and my small group, I am a caregiver in many directions.
I get up in the morning and start a load of laundry, feed the dogs and empty the dishwasher. The kids wake up and mention they are hungry. Of course, they all want different things for breakfast. One wants cereal with as much sugar as I will allow, one wants fruit but also some of last night’s BBQ ribs, and one wants waffles or an egg sandwich.
I start the coffee for my husband who is getting ready for work and I clean up the spilled milk from the cereal bowl as the kids tussle back and forth. The dogs have eaten one of my daughter’s flip flops and I begin picking up the many pieces scattered everywhere and mumble to myself that I can’t believe this is the third pair destroyed in a few weeks and why did I ever agree to animals?. My elderly parents are moving to a retirement facility and they are calling several times a day now with worries and requests so I run back and forth to their house to manage whatever the question of the day may be.
Lord! I am weary! Taking care of other people can be exhausting.
The good news is we serve a merciful, incredible, loving God. His timing is perfect and He knows I need a hug from Him. Here’s an example of how He cared for me in my time of need.
I was feeling worn down and out of service one day, as I pulled the clothes dryer away from the wall to replace the heating element. As I moved the dryer, I noticed a small envelope lying next to the wall where the dryer had been. I retrieved it and saw that it was a card for me from a dear friend of mine. It was mailed months ago! I finished fixing the dryer, and sent the kids out to the pool. I sat to down to watch them, put my feet up, and read my card.
Inside the card was a simple little note that said my friend thanked God for me and for our friendship. She said she was reminded of how special I am to her. It was filled with warm hugs that only come from close friends. As I sat there holding the card, I realized God knew I would be having a rough day today. He knew I would need a special hug from Him. So He orchestrated everything so I would find that card just when I needed it. Isn’t He amazing?
I threw another load in the washing machine and went to bed praising Him for another day, feeling reenergized to face tomorrow.
