A different look at drudgery.

I am leaving for the weekend.  I am attending and speaking at what will be my final retreat with the church that we have been with for fourteen years.  The topic I was asked to speak on?  Being full of joy.  In this season, by my own power or preference, I would have said no.  I do not love speaking.  I am struggling with joy right now.  I do however serve a great God who uses our fears, our struggles, our willingness, and can make beautiful things out of dust.  I am giving Him my dust and asking him to make it beautiful.

This in between life, the looking back while moving forward is hard.  It hurts.  I know that God is in it.  That doesn't negate the fact that change is difficult for me.

That might be part of my fall ennui.  The sudden change from summer freedom to school responsibilities brings with it a sense of shock and exhaustion.  My kids are tired and overwhelmed.  I am tired and overwhelmed.  Their behavior is not their finest.  Neither is mine.

On a particularly hard day, my dear friend Jessica sent me a little note.  In the note were the exact words I needed to hear, with a quote that was meaningful to her.  I had seen it on her fridge many  times.  It was something that she pondered over the years and something that brought her needed encouragement.  Encouragement she knew that I needed.

It now has a home on our fridge.  A gentle reminder to see the light of God in the mundane.  In the hard days.  In the days that I do not feel seen.  He sees me.  He sees me through the thoughtful action of a friend sending me a simple card in the mail.  A card that was a lifeline in that moment.

It is my hope that you can send a lifeline to a friend who needs the light of God upon their day.  A simple card.  A reminder that their work, their life, their days matter.  Even when they don't see it themselves.  So easy, yet so meaningful.

Thank you Jessica for your friendship.
Thank you Oswald Chambers for your wisdom.
Thank you God for shining light on my days.