Weary (adj.) Physically or mentally fatigued. Having one's interest, forbearance, or indulgence worn out. Extremely tired: bleary, dead, drained, exhausted, fatigued, rundown, spent, tired out, wearied, weariful, worn-down, worn-out.It was a weariful week. It came right at the end of three months of draining ministry. I’d been looking forward to this week for months. I'd been telling myself that I just had to make it through the next month / week / day and then I could rest.
As I spoke the final words of my final seminar, I could feel the burden lifting. Yes! Time for relaxation! But it seems God had other ideas. My week of rest turned out to be a week of sickness, exhaustion and discouragement.
Do you ever think like that? “Just this month, and then I’ll rest.” “It’s been a hard year, but I’ll be okay after our holiday.” “If I can just make it through the day, I’ll put my feet up.” If you do, you’ll know that things don’t always turn out the way you expect. Sickness intervenes. Holidays disappoint. People interrupt.
At the end of my weariful week I stole some time from child-rearing to spend alone with God in his word. I looked up the word weary and chased it through the cross-reference trails of my Bible. Here's some of the treasures I uncovered ...
... you can read the rest at Sola Panel.
5 comments:
Thanks for this post Jean, it was very timely for me. I appreciate the encouragement and reminder to go back to the Cross, and not pursue my own sense of "strength." I feel more peaceful already...they were great verses to be reminded of!
Your comment of not being on earth for RandR is a real challenge to our cultural perceptions. I can think of so many occasions when I or others have held bitterness in our hearts for those times when it doesn't turn out as I wanted, and have been quite eager to let everyone know about it.
But sometimes the weariness we all feel makes us long for heaven more, which is a good thing. Till then,
let us encourage one another daily, so that none of us may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness,
Anna
Great post Jean, thanks for putting it onto the Sola Panel.
The other idea that I've found regularly helpful this year (and confess ought to have found helpful every year) is Jesus' teaching that each day has enough worries of its own.
That's very useful to realize when you have kids, and you suddenly comprehend that holidays are not so much holidays as a different sort of work.
I don't mean to imply that the time with my children is burdensome or a drain (though there are moments), for they are a great joy. But there is no question that having children shows you that work never really ends.
The idea of 'holidays' is a bit dodgy anyway, assessed biblically, but that is a whole 'nother discussion.
... perchance a discussion for you, Gordo, on SP?!
Thanks, Anna, and I pray we can help one another to endure with joy and patience until the end.
Thanks Jean. This was just what I needed to hear.
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