Have you ever had a day, or maybe a week or more, where you feel that you are just too worn out to go on?  I’ve had one of those weeks.  In fact, it’s more than a week!  Somehow summer becomes much more busy than the school year, even though we are not homeschooling with all the subjects and textbooks, per say. 

As I came home today from teaching at Vacation Bible School, I happened to look over my garden.  Immediately a flood of despair came over me as I realized that the summer is half over and the poor garden (which is usually full of produce by now) is bedraggled and appears to have very little produce in it.  Of course, I do need to say that much of that is because it’s been under water for a great period of time, thanks to the floods and wet, cold spring.  However, that didn’t stop me from moaning!  When I went in the house, I heard children fussing because they were hungry and I saw a home in much need of spring (or maybe it’s now summer!) cleaning.  With the older children working at camp for much of the summer and with my husband and I putting in long hours in our business, the house cleaning has somewhat declined and those wonderful made-from-scratch meals have come to a halt.   The first thought that came into my mind was “Lord, I just can’t do this anymore.  I’m just too tired.” 

It was at that moment that the Lord placed a verse in my mind that has stuck with me all day.  II Corinthians 12:9 states, “And he said unto me, MY grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”  As I have been thinking on this verse, I have realized that it is not until I come to a point of exhaustion that I humbly realize that no - I cannot do everything on my own.   In fact, I can’t do anything on my own.  God wants to show his glory and His power through me, but I must be willing to lean on Him and trust Him fully for the strength to continue on.  Our purpose here on earth is to bring glory to God in all we do and say.  When I turn to Him and rely on Him, I am glorifying Him and allowing Him to work through me. 

Our children are closely watching us to see how we respond to the tough, tiring circumstances each day.  I want my children to be able to say that their mommy leaned on the Lord for strength, not on her own strength.  It’s with humbleness and shame that I admit that many times I fail in that area.  However, it doesn’t stop me from confessing it to the Lord and trying again.  As Galatians 6:9 says, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”  I have 7 precious children who God is presently allowing me to minister to and a precious husband who needs the support and strength of his wife.  My greatest desire is to one day hear my Lord say, “Well done, my child, well done.”  May we all keep our eyes on the Lord as we continue ministering for him in the fields he has placed us in - for with God, nothing is impossible. 

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”  Isaiah 40:31

DON’T GIVE UP!  GOD STILL HAS GREAT THINGS HE PLANS TO DO THROUGH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!

Becky - God’s Eternal Masterpiece

www.godseternalmasterpiece.com