He Gives Strength

Dear dear friend,

You look absolutely lovely. Let's do this more often. No more long breaks...I miss you too much.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your continual words of encouragement, love & support! I've felt blessed beyond words to have you in my life. Jesus has continued to comfort our hearts & be ever so present to us. I am in awe of His faithfulness & have experienced it deeper than I ever had.
 
The husband & I are looking forward to a relaxing Christmas break together. There's just something about siting in front of the fireplace, drinking hot chocolate & watching the snow fall outside that brings so much joy to us. And every time it snows this week, I plan on doing just that.
 
I know this time of the year brings it's own hustle & bustle. During this season especially, one can feel a little…spread thin. There are numerous plans to make, countless ways to execute them all & at the end of the day…did I even feed the dog? Life is wearing! Well, it has the POTENTIAL to become wearing. I've noticed that when I feel like I'm in more of a tornado than a moment, I try to muster strength from anywhere inside of me. And the more I try to muster, the more my fuel tank is completely on E. I mean we're talking "I've been driving around all day running errands & now I've driven 24 miles on empty, please Jesus get me & this car home!" empty.

It is not a good feeling! Can I get an amen?? I know how tired you are girl, so I'll just take a wink if you have it in you!

This deep down tiredness doesn't just come once a year. It can be an ongoing battle. I can't tell you how many moms I see running their sons to soccer practice, then their daughters to ballet, then off to their school to help with a batch of homemade brownies for a fundraiser. And that's all before lunch! Let's not even get started with the list of house chores & church commitments! I'm convinced these woman have capes tucked underneath their sweaters. Super. Moms. But I know that the flesh can only run that fast for so long before…BAM. Facedown, unconscious, in the hill of dirty laundry.

Or my dear sweet, college girls. Sleep, free time & healthy eating are foreign concepts. Finals, exams & all-nighters are consider curse words. Four years of books, study groups & penciling in tiny, little circles on dreaded tests. (Just a side note…If you don't study, professors still don't think it's creative or amusing if you fill those circles in to make the shape of horse. Not even the ones that own a horse. Go figure.) As great of a time as it can also be, college can equal exhaustion. I remember times when I'm pretty sure I fell asleep with my eyes open staring at a computer screen. After I finally came to, I couldn't account for the previous 4 days. I wasn't starving & was wearing different clothes, so I'm pretty sure muscle memory kicked in at that point. Oh the good ol' days.

Be encouraged my friend! The strength that is inside of you isn't your own. It doesn't come from within your worn out & exhausted self! It's always renewing, always plentiful & always yours for the taking. The world can keep their 5Hour Energy shots & extra large frappy foamy coffee drinks! We have a Creator that is everlasting & all powerful, who pours His strength directly into us! Stay submerged in His word & you'll stay swimming in His strength & power.

Isaiah 40:28-31
 says,

"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, & his understanding no one can fathom. 
He gives strength to the weary & increases the power of the weak. 
Even youths grow tired & weary, & young men stumble & 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."

Praise God! Your sails may feel tattered, but your boat is not going down! The waves will toss & turn, but they can only sway your boat, they can't move it. Your Anchor is firm. Thank you Jesus, for Your strength & for allowing us to live in it. I declare my God as faithful!