“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28
This week I had an interesting experience: my four-year-old suddenly became very shy, not wanting to be separated from me at all. I wondered if she were physically exhausted (she was!) and she obviously was not thinking clearly or acting like herself.
As I evaluated the whole situation, it gave me pause. When I have failed to spend time with my heavenly father, I often feel the same way. When I am spiritually exhausted, I do not wish to do what I normally do. I do not wish to be social, I only want to curl up in the presence of my heavenly father and let the emotions spill forth, just like my daughter, who curled up in my lap and sobbed while I rubbed her back.
How many times does God watch me stumble forth and attempt to do things when I am spiritually weary, knowing I simply need to just ask, but stubbornly refuse? I watched my daughter try to accomplish simply tasks on her own, yet weariness overtook her and she could not succeed at what she desired. Frustration set in, and the tantrums threatened. I told her I could help her and moved forward, yet she turned away. She wanted to do it on her own.
How many times have I told God through my actions, if not my words, that No, thank you, I do NOT need your help!
And yet, He is ever so gracious, waiting with open arms, for me to realize the yes, indeed, I do need Him.
Eventually my daughter came around, after she got her much-needed sleep, and her usual cherry demeanor returned. She still tries to be independent and,when well-rested, she is apt to ask for help when she needs it.
I hope I can apply the lesson I learned from her: try to get enough rest, both physical and spiritual, and above all, ask for help when needed!
Reflections:
1) Do I recognize when I am physiclaly and spiritually tired? How?
2) What should I do when I am spiritually tired?
3) How can I plan to avoid spiritual exhaustion as well as physical exhaustion?
4) How can I encourage others, offering help to alleviate their exhaustion?
5) Spend some time in prayer, thanking God for sending Jesus, to always carry me and my burdens, and to give me rest.
Thanks for reading and sharing! Please return next Monday, July 9 for the next post!