Thursday, April 3, 2014

Weary with a side of the blues...


I've always been a person who feels things deeply.
Perhaps I'm a bit too sensitive, too tender hearted for my own good.
Sometimes I wish that things didn't affect me so much,
that like water running off a duck's back, 
I could more easily let things go.
I know, however, that God made me this way for a purpose.
God uses this part of my personality to help me to empathize with others
 I also get the pleasure of feeling joy in the same big way that I feel sorrow and pain.

It can be exhausting to feel so deeply.
Especially, when you're in the ministry and you are faced daily with seeing people you deeply care about go through personal struggles of one kind or another.
This is where I've been lately, 
weary with a side of the blues.

I woke up this morning telling God exactly what I was feeling.
I've been trying to remember to verbalize the words,
"I trust You, God with..." naming each person, every situation that is heavy on my heart.
It's a good reminder that the burdens rest on His shoulders, not mine.

Tonight I'm going to bed weary,
but it's the normal weary that comes from a busy, full day.
Sometime between this morning and tonight the blues have lifted.
Here's what I believe helped.

-being honest
God already knows what I'm going through, what I'm thinking, and what I'm feeling,
but there's freedom for me in being gut level honest before Him and getting it all out.

-taking time in the Word
Today was busy.  
It's tempting to just get up and start tackling the to-dos,
but things always go better when I take time with God first and ask Him to order my day.

-going on a walk or run
Exercise is stress relieving.  
It's even more stress relieving when I talk to God while I'm walking and running.

-doing something for someone else
This is the thing that really blessed me today.
I have been wanting to get together with one of the young, single mothers 
at our church just to check up on how she's doing.
Typically I would have her come by the church or meet her somewhere for coffee,
but for some reason I decided to invite her over to our home for dinner.
There was something healing, almost meditative, 
as I went about the meal preparations in the quiet of the house all to myself.
I think it was then that I started to feel the familiar feeling that I know more typically
 when I'm praying for someone or counseling with them.
I've heard it called "the divine flow", 
when suddenly you know it's not just you doing it anymore, 
but you're being the channel of God's love.
Somewhere between setting the table,
and mashing the potatoes and stirring the gravy,
it stopped being me working and started being Him loving through me.
And that made all the difference.
She loved the meal, and we loved the fact that she felt so at home that we sat in our living room 
chatting together til late in the evening.
She was blessed, but I do believe that I was blessed even more.
 I'd forgotten that when I open up to God and yield to being the channel for His love
all the other stuff, all the stress, all the weariness, even the blues,
they roll right off just like water off a duck's back.

still following,


     




at 3-D Lessons for Life

24 comments:

  1. I won't try to put into words exactly how much I relate to this and how much the entire post blessed me. I loved the part in bold face, and I loved it all. I'm so glad to have a kindred soul who can express the groanings in my heart right now.

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    1. We all need a kindred spirit in our lives. I'm glad God brought you into my life.

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  2. An inspiration to read, as always...
    Thank you

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  3. I love the way you write! I rarely make a comment, but wanted to this morning. I have similar personality traits and it felt good to hear someone else say, that some days, it's hard work....all that feeling!

    I love the way you decorate (not over the top! but realistic!!) and share about your family!

    Thank you for being a blessing today!

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    1. Thanks for your kind comment! It does take effort to comment, doesn't it, so I really appreciate it!

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  4. Elizabeth. You are so tenderhearted caring, loving & I am so blessed to see God made you this way & that He so gently walked you through your day. You & Him are one!! God Bless you for doing the works of your Father!!

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    1. Jesus needs to carry the load for me and flow through me as I minister to others...nothing really good or lasting can come from me anyway, right?

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  5. Elizabeth, this was so precious. Praise God the 'blues' lifted through just giving life away. I really liked this line: "It stopped being me working and started being Him loving through me." I struggle with trying to make things happen sometimes, I think being a channel is a better idea! Let the 'divine flow' flow!

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    1. Me too, Jody! I'm a "fixer" and try to make things happen way too much!

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  6. Thank you for this. I can completely relate. Keep on, sister.

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  7. This post is full of wisdom - thank you for sharing and blessing others with the wisdom God has given you!

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    1. Thanks, Jill. If there's any wisdom here, it's from God!

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  8. Elizabeth,
    Such a wise term "divine flow"...and I'm glad your blues lifted ...thanks for sharing your healthy tips :)

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    1. Thank you so much, Dolly. You are a blessing!

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  9. Hi Elizabeth, thanks for coming by my blog and leaving a kind comment today! This post really gave me a flashback to my 30 years as a ministry wife. The heavy cares and concern for others is never-ending and can become too much to bear at times. You certainly have the right attitude for it though!
    I look forward to reading more of you....so glad we connected at Jen Dukes.
    Susie

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    1. Thanks for your encouraging comment, Susie. It's always great to meet another gal who's "been there, done that" and knows how challenging ministry life can be!

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  10. Elizabeth,
    Thanks for your honesty. I loved your wisdom after this phrase "Sometime between this morning and tonight the blues have lifted" when you mentioned spending time in God's word, in getting honest to him, exercise, etc. That rings true to me too in my own life. Thanks.

    Hopping over from Emily' link up,
    Jennifer Dougan
    www.jenniferdougan.com

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    1. Thank you, Jennifer. What would we ever do without God's sustaining strength! I'm so thankful for Him!

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  11. Such a blessing to read this, Elizabeth. My heart, mind and should were eager for each word as I moved down the page. I am so grateful that God brought me here tonight.
    Caring through Christ, ~ linda

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    1. Much thanks and love to you Linda. Your posts always bless me as well!

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  12. I'm so glad the burdens rest on His shoulders, not mine. Thank you for saying right words of encouragement. More Grace!

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    1. Amen! If I couldn't cast my cares on God, I would be in a world of hurt!

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