The formal attire wedding invitation called for a shopping adventure. As we perused the suits for Steve I glanced over to see he had slipped into a jacket. Oh, my word, he looked AMAZING. I had grown so accustomed to t-shirt and khaki attire, the moment I spotted him in that suit jacket I was mesmerized.
Hand in hand, I led both Naomi and Titus into the hospital lobby. Naomi stopped me immediately inside the door as if she couldn’t take another step without proclaiming what was on her heart. Glancing up at me with her gorgeous blue eyes and thick curly hair, she had something important to tell me. I leaned down to give her my full attention and the words she spoke have lingered in my heart for the last 6 months.
Driving my husband’s pickup truck helps me feel connected to my country roots and it only seems right to haul something in the truck bed. As I approached the malfunctioning traffic light on main street, the traffic safety office signaled my stop. The brakes are much more sensitive than my vehicle and my less than graceful stop caught the officer’s attention. Traffic lights in our community are known for being extra-long, but it felt like I sat forever and a day waiting before he finally waived his baton giving me the signal to make the turn and move on.
I thought, Read more
Four months of preparations and I could hardly wait for the first session of my bible study to begin. I couldn’t sleep for excitement. I slipped out of bed in the early hours of the morning pleading with God to allow His spirit to work through me in writing homework sessions and crafting messages that would inspire and encourage.
After the first session, I could not believe how quickly my heart connected with the moms. I felt vulnerable at the heightened level of transparency God required of me in sharing my own story. The teary-eyed responses served as painful reminders of the hardships and sacrifices that so often accompany motherhood. The technology required for moms to join in via live video from five states only heightened my nerves.
Six weeks into the project as the study was nearing the end, I was beginning to feel exhausted. I told my husband, “After this class, I’m going to take the rest of the year off from ministry!” Honestly, I think even my husband needed a break. Such level of commitment comes with sacrifices made by our loved ones.
Have you ever felt like giving up due to exhaustion? Maybe you are there now! God even rested from all His work!
And then I read Paul’s words…
I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.
2 Corinthians 11: 23b – 27
Suddenly, my efforts felt so small in comparison to Paul. Instead of giving up, I enjoyed a much-needed break to refresh and regenerate.
And now I’m asking God, “What next?” God breathed a deeper desire into my heart to serve Him more.
My friend, don’t give up! Take a break!
Copyright©2018, Gloria Stucky
Photo by Mike Benna on Unsplash