I'm tired.
It’s 9:00 am and I am already utterly exhausted.
I’ve been up with my Andrew since 5:00 am this morning. And I’m still not ready for my day–unshowered, no breakfast, house a mess. I need to get going. Instead I sit here, having just finished an email to his teacher, marveling at his energy, enthusiasm and exuberance, despite having slept for only 2 hours last night.
Since 5 o’clock this morning Andrew has read a book, taken a bubble bath, got dry skin from taking a bubble bath, took a shower, had me rub baby oil on his legs to ease the itchiness, tried playing games on his computer (I confiscated it), tried playing games on his tablet (I confiscated that, too), made breakfast, sang songs from the musical he’s helping out with, added choreography to the songs from the musical he’s helping out with, cleaned his room (under great duress), made his bed and hung up his clothes (same duress), drove with me to the high school to bring his brother to school, shoveled the driveway so he could skateboard, skateboarded, played with the dog and annoyed his sister.
He’s now at school and looking forward to the day ahead.
I, on the other hand, am ready for bed and would happily do so if I didn’t actually have many things to do today. I have clients to see, meetings to attend, activities to drive to and so on, just like you do each day.
But God… (I love those words!)
This morning as I sat with the Lord while Andrew was in the shower, I was reminded of 2 Corinthians 12:9-13 that speaks of God’s strength being evident in my weakness. I read it in The Message today and oh, what a refreshing perspective shift it brought!
It’s amazing what a difference a new perspective makes! So today, as I go about all I need to do in my exhaustion, I will be strengthened by the grace of God and will do all He’s set out before me to do. And I’ll do it with joy and excitement and purpose–because no matter how tired or stressed I am, I find fresh perspective and encouragement in my God and His Word.
How can having a fresh perspective help you today? What can you do to shift your perspective from where it is now to a fresher, more optimistic one? If I can help you choose and maintain this fresh perspective, I'd be honored to do so.
I hope your day is as good as mine will be!