“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8).
The bed clings, pulling me deeper into the comfort of warm sheets. The floor is littered with Kleenex(R). Empty cough drop wrappers adorn the nightstand. I don’t want to get up.
Some cold/sinus nasty/”please-don’t-let-it-be-flu” thing has infiltrated my body. If I take something to end the dripping nose, my head throbs and swells like a balloon. My eyes leak and my nose resembles a certain reindeer.
Ugh.
I hate things like this that saps strength enough to keep me from accomplishing what needs to be done. My present problems are nothing in the grand scheme of things. This too will pass. There have been other times I wasn’t so sure, times I couldn’t get out of bed without someone to help or carry.
Life is full of those stop-in-the-tracks moments, or side-slips into a messy mire of difficulties and trials. Some things pass quickly, others are life-changing and altering. They don’t go away, and if we’re not careful, despair wraps like a wet cement cloak across the shoulders. It’s hard not to worry about tomorrow and what will come.
Jesus teaches us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” Bread enough for today. He will feed and supply all our needs. He tells us to not worry about tomorrow because He will be with us as we go through life. He will never leave or forsake us. His mercies are new every morning. He’ll give us the grace we need, the strength we need, and the love we need.
Prayer: God help me to remember that faith isn’t about my body’s strength, but by casting my worn-out, ailing body on Your universe-carrying, amazing, loving, unfailing broad shoulders.
About the Author:
Lisa Buffaloe is a madly in love with God, Christ-follower, happily-married, mom, writer/blogger/speaker. God has helped her through molestation by a baby-sitter, assault, rape, divorce, cancer, death, seven surgeries, and years of chronic illness due to Lyme Disease. For more information, please visit www.LisaBuffaloe.com
Lisa: Thank you for this. I’m reading it the day after it was posted. This morning I sobbed on my way to Sunday School, wondering if I could handle that, plus playing the piano for the worship service and then a search committee meeting. God gave me the grace and now, bedtime, I’m very weary but content with my day.
I’m behind (nothing unusual) with routine tasks at home, but have hope for tomorrow because I know God will be with me, whatever it brings. He sees the big picture and wants to use our weak vessels to bring glory to His Name. What a privilege this is. I’m further encouraged by your words.
Blessings go you, Beth
Oh Beth, I’m so sorry for your suffering. How grateful I am for a God who sees, cares, and will be with us every moment.
Praying for you!
Lisa Buffaloe