Have you ever felt weary?  Whether in parenting, marriage, work, your walk with Jesus, friendship, or service to others?  Weary….completely exhausted?  I sure have and at times, this feeling of weariness can resurface.

What can we do with this weariness? Is there any reprieve, or better yet a way to be filled and encouraged?

Our weariness offers us something…

I cannot tell you how many times in conversations in my mind throughout the day, I find myself saying, “I feel _______.  

My emotions can range from happy, sad, encouraged, frustrated, elated, disappointed, hurt and many others. 

Even in regards to my walk with Jesus, I can have days where my feelings can range from weak-kneed to standing strong upon His promises.

Why do our feelings have so much control?  Is this how it should be?…

Scripture exhorts us to live Holy Spirit empowered in our everyday, allowing others to bear witness to our Gospel-transformed lives. 

What does that look like in a practical sense? Could it be offering a smile to the clerk in the grocery store as she helps me with my order?…or is it more?…What about engaging in conversation with her?   Why are we so fearful to cross this “unstated line”?

What kind of aroma am I leaving…are you leaving? One that draws others in to ask more questions, to linger in our presence, ultimately His presence. Or do our words and actions make others feel unworthy and shunned?…

I love how the Apostle Paul chooses to use the word “practice” in Romans 12:13. I appreciate what it entails.

We are not always going to “get it right”.  

This could apply to many things – the meal we prepare, our right heart attitude of inviting others into our homes, even our focus.  Am I more worried or distracted by cleaning the house and making it presentable or am I prayerfully considering the various avenues of conversation that the Lord may bring up in our time together?…

I confess, the word surrender can leave a negative connotation in my mind at times.  Surrender can be pretty unpopular in our culture these days.  In fact, companies build their slogans contrary to this idea, right?  “Have it your way” is coined by the fast food giant, Burger King… Even though surrender may conjour up some hesitation, lets dig into what Scripture says of this concept the world scoffs at…

I think what motivated me to say those words was because they were expected. 

How often do we answer with what is expected?  Why do I not see the opportunity to bear witness to the magnificent grace the Lord has chosen to gift us with, in whatever the situation?…

Why does this sign seem to be an anomaly?  Why is gratitude such a rarity in our culture?  The simple words of “thank you”.  How often do we hear them?  How often do I speak them to another?

What happens when I witness the Lord answer a deep cry of my heart?  Am I just like the nine lepers?  Do I take my answer and just run with it?  Forgetting the source of this miraculous working?…

Have you ever felt like you just mess up more than you get it right?  

At times, I sure have!  In marriage, parenting, friendships, family relationships and even decisions; no area of life seems immune!  It can be tough to not allow the guilt or remorse swallow you whole and leave you in a self-inflicted prison of guilt and shame…

When was the last time you looked into the eyes of a friend, and asked “How are you doing?” 

Not our typical “How are you doing” but rather one born out of true friendship, filled with emotion, a care and deep longing to know what your sister is currently walking through in her life…why do we shy away from this? Why are we fearful to know others and be known at the level we desire?…  

How often do I make excuses as to how I act, why I do what I do, or who I am in lieu of “this being how I was raised or who I am”.  In my natural default of not being quick to forgive, how often am I tied to the lie that this is “who I am”, that I cannot change. 

But is this destined doom true?  What place do excuses have in our lives? Should they have a place?

What does Scripture have to say? 

I don’t know about you, but I sure can spend a lot of time trying to figure out the Lord’s will “once and for all”. Funny how little of our life is truly lived in that space…Peace doesn’t come in the knowing, it comes in the trusting and resting.  Trusting that our God has a plan…

If someone were to ask what you are most passionate about, how would you answer?  Would it be a hobby, a sport, cooking, shopping, your job, your spouse or children?  How I choose to answer this reveals much about my heart.  It can be very easy in this world for these “good things” to begin to creep in and take the rightful place of Jesus…how can we keep our affections stirred for more, for Him?…

Disagreements can leave us exhausted, frustrated, and disappointed. I am not sure how you bounce back after a disagreement, but it can weigh heavy on my heart. I was filled with remorse and the feeling of defeat as I hung my head. I was left wondering “How in the world did we get here?”

But God did not leave us at that place…my mind began to wander on the good that has happened on the “backside” of this…

We have recently wrapped up a very busy traveling month for my husband.  He was gone for several stretches of time during three of the past four weeks.  As we anticipated his return with much excitement around the house, my mind went to how his return would change my days…  The world would tell me I deserve it.  The world would look at me, offer sympathy and shout the “right” for my own time.  The “right” to equal things out…but is that the truth?…