“Those who feel tired and worn out will find new life and energy, and when they sleep, they will wake up refreshed.”—Jeremiah 31:25-26 (CEV)
I just love when God sends encouragement through a fellow Christian. Last week, after uploading my YouTube video, another sister in Christ, shared how both she and her husband had to care for their mothers during their last years as well. The words that resonated the most with me were these; an empty vessel can’t give anything. Remember to refuel and refresh yourself.
Yes, I had much needed time away with some good friends, but when I got back from that trip, I hit the ground running. It took its toll on my mind, body, and spirit. Rather than feel like I needed to do everything once I got back in town, I now realize, how much it drained me mentally, emotionally and even physically with an upper respiratory infection.
In order to not become an empty vessel that has nothing to give, we have to make time for ourselves too. The enemy’s ploy is for us to feel guilty for it, but it is not selfish for you to say, no, I can’t do that. We don’t have to be a martyr and try to do it all. That isn’t how God designed us.
As I type this, my daughter could go into labor at any moment. (Update: baby Callahan born on Saturday at 1:21 pm 6 lbs 15 oz, 18.5 inches💕) Once she and her husband are ready for me to spend some time with them, I could be gone several days. In the past, this might have overwhelmed me with my mother.
In fact, while I was on my Florida trip, God revealed to me a new update on her memory phone that can be activated. Get this…. repetitive calling. What??? How did I miss this feature being added? I get so many emails from companies; I am sure I deleted the one informing me about it. This is now installed on her phone. She cannot call the same person more than 2 times in a one hour time frame.
When she places that third call, she gets a message with my voice saying, If you are getting this message, it is because we are unavailable and can’t answer our phone. If it is an emergency press your button. Do you have any idea, how much I welcome this feature? Even though I don’t answer the phone every time she calls, it is still a stressor seeing her name pop up on my phone/watch and having to check multiple voicemails.
Look at how God used something as simple as a new phone feature to help me to refuel, refocus and refresh my soul that had become weary. He is so good. In addition to that, my middle brother has been looking at assisted living near his home if or when my mother is ready for a different level of care.
When I get back from visiting my daughter, I will go visit with him to see if it might one day be a good fit for her. Hope. God knows if it gets to that point with my mother, I will need some relief.
I know our life here on earth is temporary, just as this time with my mother. Yes, there have been days when I think I can’t take it anymore, but part of that has been due to the repetitive phone calls and multiple voicemails. God heard my cries. He provided.
If you are in a similar place in life where many days you feel zapped of energy, then Jeremiah 31:25-26 probably spoke to you as well. “Those who feel tired and worn out will find new life and energy, and when they sleep, they will wake up refreshed.” Leaning into God and His Word as well as praising Him for His faithfulness, is what has refreshed and refueled me this week. God didn’t create us to run on empty but to depend on Him to fill our tank.
Father God
Thank You for speaking to me through another sister in Christ. Only You can use a new phone feature to refuel, refresh and refocus a weary soul. I praise You for giving me the needed rest and energy to persevere. No matter what each day may hold for me, thank You for filling and perking me up to look forward to where You daily lead me. I lift those up to You, who don’t think they can handle any more setbacks. I ask for You to speak words of encouragement through another brother or sister in Christ as well as give them scripture to hold onto during their trying day. I pray these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen
April Verse
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.”—John 14:6 (NASB)
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