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My most extroverted and social kiddo was in tears (from exhaustion) last night thinking about returning to school this morning. It is very taxing on our kiddos and teachers to go back to school for a full week. New names, new routines, new rules, new expectations. Yes, Monday was a half day, but it was still five early mornings in a row. Long enough for the new-shoes-new-backpack excitement to wear off!

Regardless of the challenge it presents for our kids and their teachers (I assured my child there were many crying teachers last night too), it does remind us how much we need God’s strength.

I must confess, my first inclination as a parent is to rescue my child…keep them home, write a letter to school administrators, or at least complain on their behalf for a shorter start-week.

But then it occurred to me, what if these very types of stretching experiences are exactly what my child needs? Sure, I would not choose the trial, but it makes my child realize a need for God’s strength and that is more important than rest and comfort.

Because of the exhausted tears of last night, I was able to point my child to the only one who can restore, the One who is our hope. We need him every hour and every minute. Why?

Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
 but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint. – Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV

If you find yourself exhausted today and in need of rest, let us remind ourselves that our hope is not in a better schedule, a more organized approach, a frantic striving, or in giving up…our hope is in the Lord.

And here is the beautiful part….when we place our hope in Him, it is the Lord who gets the glory for getting us through!!! We soar on wings like eagles and he is to be praised, not we ourselves. Reminding my child of these truths reminded my own soul of my need for the Lord where I am weary. Perhaps you need a reminder too?

Dear reader, are you feeling exhausted?

Your exhaustion might be school-related, or ministry-related, it may be a family situation, or the weariness of keeping tiny humans alive, or the constant care of aging parents. It may be fighting for your marriage or it might be the exhaustion of grief or even the weariness of a never-ending laundry pile (mountain).

Whatever is sapping your strength and threatening burn-out, discouragement, fear, or depression, turn to the Lord who does not grow tired or weary. He alone can restore you. Let the trial produce hope.

Singing His Grace,

Jess

The Message

Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening?
God doesn’t come and go. God lasts.
    He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath.
    And he knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired,
    gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
    young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
    They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don’t get tired,
    they walk and don’t lag behind.