My birthday package from my little sister came yesterday. I called to tell her it had arrived, and was she really going to make me wait an entire week to open it. She felt I wouldn't have anything to open on my birthday if I didn't wait. But I always do have something - hubby always gives me his gifts to me on 'the day'. And if not, that's ok too. I celebrate my birthday all month. Or try to. Anyway - she immediately gave in and said to open the box. It was a nice Amazon box (boxes are reuseable, imagine that) and it was heavy. Like in 8 pounds 6.6 ounces heavy. What in the world? I guessed it was full of books. I was wrong. Only one book. So what made it so heavy?
I'm sorry, but what comes to mind as I start to share this one item is, have you heard the saying 'dumber than a box of rocks'? Don't laugh or shake your head. It's because she sent me rocks. In a box. THAT is what made it so heavy. But what she sent IS thoughtful.... it's a square vase about 6 inches high; 4 inches square I'm guessing. The flat, round rocks each have a word on it (accept, love, I don't remember them all, and one she wrote Jesus on that she said was from her yard) and there is a string that has square beads that read 'Be happy Be blessed' three or four times. The rocks go in the vase (which has the word Blessed on it) to sit out on a table. It is a nice gift. She sent several other gifts as well. It was fun opening them with her on the phone so that she could hear my comments.
Of course the only reason she let me open early is because she knows I have sent her gifts already (except for one and it won't be delivered until just before her birthday) and she will get them this week. I could have waited to send, but chose not to. Besides, I have Amazon Prime and they can pay shipping. I do have a couple books I want to send her and will get those boxed up and sent next week so that she will get them closer to her birthday on the 16th. We are always sending 'love gifts' to each other so early or late doesn't really matter.
I slept good last night, I think. So much so that I did not feel my fitbit buzz at 4AM or at 4:15AM. Hubby touched my leg and it felt like he was throwing the cover over on me. I started to doze again and he did it again. I looked at my fitbit and saw that it was 4:20AM so got up. I struggled to wake up, but soon did. I'm grateful he didn't slap my leg or arm like he has in the past which causes me to awake from a deep sleep and get a headache. The light touch was enough to keep a headache at bay. I'm happy about that as I had another headache yesterday. Ever since I got the vaccines I get a headache much more frequently than I ever have. Not always bad ones, but enough to be annoying.
I read a bit in my Solitude and Silence book this morning, just a paragraph or two, but it really hit home. It talked about tiredness and exhaustion. I have been in that stage many times. A lot of times it is from busyness of life, busyness of work, busyness of doing nothing. Some times we can find ourselves so very tired that we don't know how much longer we can go on. Sleep either eludes us or overwhelms us - but never satisfies. When that happens, we lose touch with that place in the center of our being where we know who we are in God, where we know what we are called to do, and where we are responsive to His voice above all the noise in our lives. When that happens, we find ourselves at the mercy of every noise, every voice, that comes at us. And we spiral into a tiredness that gives no relief.
As you read those words you may realize that is where you are at. You are tired. You feel exhausted, whether it is from lack of sleep, lack of rest, or lack of quietness and solitude. But rather than judge or berating yourself, take a few minutes to just sit back and be quiet and allow your mind to rest, just for a moment. Quit thinking about all you want to accomplish today. Quit thinking about the work you have ahead of you today. Or even next week. Push the thoughts out of your mind (sometimes that is so hard!) and give yourself permission to quiet your mind of all activity and give it rest. Give it some quiet, some solitude, and just be. Don't try to rush through the process, but give yourself time and space to notice what is true about you. Recognize your tiredness and ask God, "God, this is what is true about me. What are we going to do about it?"
Jesus said in Matthew 11:28: "Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." What is it like to hear those words right now? Do you believe it is possible for you to find the rest you need? Tell God what you need and listen to what He wants to say to you now.
So what are you thinking right now? Are you shrugging off what you just read? I challenge you to take a moment and quiet your mind. Get the rest your mind is searching for. Believe in yourself, and in God who is able to provide rest for your weariness.
Blessings!
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