This is the story of my life right now.
Everything seems to get only half done.
As I was nursing the young one this morning I was staring at this craft project, better yet it was staring at me, and I thought about how fitting it was. It's not even past breakfast time and I am struggling to be joyful already. I'm overwhelmed by attitudes, loud voices, complaining, crying and just the feeling of being pulled in numerous (completely opposite) directions all at once. I sure don't feel like the joy of the Lord is my strength. Then the truth that the Holy Spirit kept pressing upon me was that God's strength is glorified when I'm emptied and weak.
And He said unto me, "My grace is sufficient for you: for My strength is made perfect in weakness."... 2 Corinthians 12:10Now I don't embody that latter half of that verse, but my spirit yearns to shout it, if only I would crucify my flesh,
...Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.I don't have any physical infirmities at the moment, but oh how I have many spiritual infirmities that only Christ, the great physician, can heal. Yet, the more I try to do things on my own, in my own strength, the harder it seems to humble myself and ask God to help me. To forgive me. To be my all. I must be insane because I know the solution to my troubles, yet I keep doing everything BUT the solution: utter confession and dependence on the One who gives me strength: Christ.
•Day by day, and with each passing moment,
ReplyDeleteStrength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure,
Gives unto each day what He deems best,
Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.
•Every day the Lord Himself is near me,
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me,
He whose name is Counsellor and Pow’r.
The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,“
This the pledge to me He made.
•Help me then, in every tribulation,
So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation,
Offered me within Thy holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
E’er to take, as from a father’s hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till with Christ the Lord I stand.
Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/713#ixzz2PhTKJMMH
Thank you Shelley! I know that this is a season and it will change, just like all things. I miss you and wish I could just walk down to your house and let of of your joyfulness rub off on me. Oh, wait, that's a fruit of the Spirit that I should let God be cultivating in me!
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