A Tired Soul

That's me.

I don't know about you, but I believe it might be true of you too. Parenting is such a difficult and tiring road.

So today I am meditating on these verses.

Matthew 11:28-30
"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."

He is the Prince of Peace. He is the Burden Bearer. He promises rest.

In light of this I want to love well too. I find myself so snappy and on edge when I am worn out. Sleep is important, but I love the days like today when I wake early without an alarm with prayers on my lips. I know the Spirit tends to do this when my heart is heavy and burdened. So I tossed and turned hoping to pray myself to sleep. But to no avail. I arose. I grabbed my Bible, journal and Devotional book (Disciplines of a Godly Woman, by Barbara Hughes) and put the coffee on. Three o'clock seemed a tad too early, but I always end up treasuring those days that I rise and have much more time than usual. Today was one of those days.

Though my body and mind were up when many others are resting, God met me and gave me rest in Him. My heart was heavy. My burdens were many. Six-thirty came and I was rested. My Jesus helped me to focus on Him and His will for my life.

Oh. What a great added dimension too. My lover, "Mr. Cartwright", was part of this morning. Nothing does a heart more good in marriage than when you read God's Word together. I love that man!

Journals Sent From Above

The day before I took off for Tennessee to take care of mom, I was hunting for something special.

A journal.

Just a little place to bear my soul and heart through the weeks of anguish and joy I knew would be coming my way.

I desired to find one for my beautiful sister, who lives near mom, and who I knew would be spending every waking moment with her too.

I was looking for just the "right" one.

I entered the store, which is just a home decor store with all kinds of odds and ends. You can find all those unique treasures that you would never find elsewhere.

My eyes scanned the shelves. There were all colors: red, blue, green, etc. The styles ranged from spiral bound to leather. I looked and looked.

My eyes finally landed on two different ones but from the same manufacturer. I pulled them both off the shelf...the only two left. One was black; the other turquoise.

One had an "S"; the other a "J". The initials from both of our names.

Just a small gift from God to start a very long valley in my life.

As I was caring for mom, I took time each day to record my thoughts, prayers, Scripture and whatever else was on my mind. Many tears splashed those pages. One page screams pain; the next joy and comfort.

There are notes that were taken the day mom expressed her desires for her memorial. Just a few pages later are my notes to speak at her memorial. I so badly wished that there were more pages between the two, but this is only a selfish wish.

God used this little gift to strengthen my faith; He cares even about the small things...like journals.