Running

I am a homebody. My favorite days are the ones when I can stay home and do something without feeling rushed. I prefer most of my adventure to happen between the pages of a book. And I like the pace of fewer places to go, fewer things to do, and fewer people to see. But that is not my life right now. I feel like I'm constantly running. Running to the store for that something I forgot. Running errands. Running to drop a child off here and pick another up there. Running from the washer and dryer to the couch and back again. Running. Running. Running.

And I get really weary. All I want to do is put on stretchy pants and catch up on the laundry. Or mop the floors and wash down a filthy wall. Or start a new project. Or put a dent in the pile of books my Crew have asked me to read. Or write down some of the words dancing through my head. But instead I spend a ridiculous chunk of day in the car. As I was thinking about this the other day, I realized that 1) God is at work to wear away my idols, and 2) He has the strength I need to get through these interminable days. As I thought about His strength, these  verses came to mind.

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. 

Isaiah 40:28-31 

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 

2 Corinthians 12:9

Siren's Call

When I was little I loved mermaids. I was so excited that Disney's "The Little Mermaid" released near my birthday and I got to watch it in the theater. Just a few years after my introduction to mermaids, I began to delve into Greek and Roman mythology where I met the sirens. Still beautiful and mysterious, but drastically more dangerous. In fact, according to the myths, sirens are beautiful precisely for the purpose of luring seamen to their deaths. The only escape was to plug your ears so you couldn't hear, or to be completely tied down.

I've been thinking a lot about temptation lately. (Probably because one of my current memory verses is about temptation.) And I've come to the conclusion that I am terribly weak. I hear the siren's call of sin and seem nearly powerless to resist. But it is so frustrating when I give in because part of me believes that to embrace sin is death! To seek my comfort and pleasure apart from God is sin and leads to death. And still I listen. And for a while I believe that what I need most is not a relationship with the God who made me and loves me, but some other tiny thing. Dear Christian, when sin begins to sing you its tantalizing song, plug your ears and row with all your strength towards the Savior!

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 
1 Corinthians 10:13

No rest for the weary...

I've been told by a number of older moms that our family is in its busiest season right now. Each of the Crew has their own interests and activities in which they are involved. We are working to encourage them in some of these things while working to maintain our involvement with our church and other responsibilities. All the going required for the Crew's activities means that I am at home much less than I'd prefer. It also feels like I'm always working.

I was in the middle of a draining task one evening recently, and mentally checking the list of things I still had to do that day, when the phrase "no rest for the weary" popped into my head. Following immediately on its heels was this passage:

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30

As I chewed on these precious verses, I felt refreshed. I feel like I'm always working, and I often feel weighed down by the responsibilities and struggles in my life and the lives of those I love. And here I am offered rest. But while I need physical rest, an even greater rest is promised. Rest for my soul. Perhaps you've heard that our hearts have a "God-shaped hole", a need that only our Creator can fill. But we strive to fill it with all kinds of other things. And we are left emptier for our striving. Through Christ, in Christ, we have peace with God-- which is rest for our souls.

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:1-3