My day-to-day life has been looking pretty ridiculous lately. A never-ending list of errands to run, home projects to complete (right now it’s to clean the upholstery on a lovely new-to-me arm chair I thrifted last week), correspondence to respond to, new computer programs to learn and people to see.
I think what tires me most with my to-do list is all the details that need to be thought through. I usually don’t have a problem making decisions, but it’s the obscene AMOUNT of decisions I’ve been needing to make that is exhausting and, honestly, discouraging.
“If you could find a way to tangibly encourage me today or tomorrow, that’d be great.”
I’ve said this to the Lord several times in the last few months.
I would then expectantly wait for a burst of energy that would allow me to accomplish so many things. Or a constant state of creative genius that would enable me to make decisions better. Or a magical eraser that would take things off my to-do list after they were unexplainably completed. Or the ability to fly so I could run errands quicker. Oh, and cute little birds following me singing a sweet and upbeat tune.
Unsurprisingly, none of these things happened. “Where’s the encouragement Lord? Why is the Comforter not doing His job?”
Ironically, the Comforter did His job wonderfully by using this time to teach me more about my relationship with Him. A few things He’s been teaching me:
- My definition of encouragement is different than His definition of encouragement.
- Encouragement is found in His Word.
- Encouragement is found through Him using those in my life around me.
- Encouragement does not mean that pain and suffering stop.
- Encouragement is a real and tangible thing when found in truth.
The Lord is convincing me more and more how sweet it is to be loved by Him. The song by James Taylor sums it up well:
“How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you
I needed the shelter of someone’s arms and there you were
I needed someone to understand my ups and downs and there you were
With sweet love and devotion
Deeply touching my emotions
I want to stop and thank you baby
I want to stop and thank you baby
How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you.”
If you hear me humming this, be encouraged.
Leave a Reply