I felt totally exhausted today. Plain ole exhausted! Exhaustion is defined as being completely used up and that is how I felt. The routine of caring for family needs and home seemed overwhelming, and my ‘free time’ was never enough. Time, energy, and the will to push on were gone.
Are you there today? Ever been there? Wow, it’s hard to pull yourself out of that mode. I didn’t want to do anything, see anyone, talk on the phone, and eat — well, let’s re-think that last one!
Deciding I needed—deserved—a break, I poured myself a steaming cup of Hazelnut coffee, grabbed a chocolate protein bar, propped my feet up on a pillow and turned on the television hoping to find some music or lively show to motivate me.
Before I could switch the dial, I was mesmerized by the screen. A young man seemed to be on top of a desk as he spoke to an enormous crowd. His face literally lit up as he shared the joy in his heart from serving others. As he talked freely about how blessed he was and how much God had done for him, the camera scanned the audience.
As the cameraman turned his focus to the speaker, I realized he was literally speaking from the top of a desk. This was my first encounter with Nick Vujicic. Nick was born in Australia without arms or legs. His parents had worked hard to get him accepted in a public school where he accomplished with no limbs what seemed impossible from an early age. He learned to use his one “foot” to type on a computer and perform many other tasks.
Within a few minutes, my feet slid off the stool and onto the floor. I sat straight up in my chair staring in disbelief as he continued talking about how anything is possible if you want it badly enough. His early days, I am sure, were extremely difficult. I realized my present tiredness would not hold a candle to his true exhaustion as he worked hard to strengthen and train what muscles he had to achieve his goals.
I struggle with finding time to meet writing deadlines, to read more books, to become a more faithful witness and friend to others. It doesn’t seem to take much to pull me away from my goals and I wonder how committed I am to finding my purpose.
According to this young man, life without purpose is no life at all. Living without limbs, he is an author, musician, actor, and his hobbies include fishing, painting and swimming. Nick says, “If God can use a man without arms and legs to be His hands and feet, then He will certainly use any willing heart!”
Well, dear friends, that program sure did a lot for my exhaustion! I turned off the television, finished cleaning the room, washed and put away another load of laundry, and sorted the stack of papers lining the dining table. (My husband will be in shock!)
You know me well enough to know, I believe we need to rest when we are tired. I believe we need to care for ourselves as we care for others. I believe there is a time to work and a time to play.
However, there is also—at least in my life—a form of tiredness that comes from “stinkin’ thinkin’” and I am choosing to change that attitude every time it appears.
I pray for you to find rest and renewal in your life today.
Hugs,
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