This morning, I'm reflecting on my tears. WHY could I not hold them back? Why were they falling incessantly down my cheeks all through the service? I'm still not sure. The answer(s) aren't coming readily.
Some of them, I think, are tears of exhaustion. Not from being physically overworked, but from emotional overload. While considering that possibility as I dressed this morning, the strangest passage of Scripture came to my mind! This one from Mark 12.
Sitting
across from the offering box, he was observing how the crowd tossed
money in for the collection. Many of the rich were making large
contributions. One poor widow came up and put in two small coins—a
measly two cents. Jesus called his disciples over and said, “The truth
is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others
put together. All the others gave what they’ll never miss; she gave
extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all.”
(The Message)
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| Our Penny Bank |
I KNEW it was a message for me. And I know what He is asking of me.
Today out of my "poverty", I will put in everything!
(And I'm not talking about financial poverty).
I will keep on giving. Extravagantly.
I will keep on going.
Jesus IS watching. Jesus sees.
And that's enough.
Hi Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteThat is good that you have decided to keep on giving extravagantly.....cause we all should, but don't
forget your body and soul needs rest...........and giving can make us very weary............and even
Jesus drew away to a still place to get some rest...........
So get some rest honey, you have had a whole lot on your plate lately...........Sometimes we have
to take care of ourselves in order to take care of others...
Blessings, Nellie
Thanks for the reminder, Nellie.
DeleteI do SO hear you this morning. Thank you for posting this...a gift to me today.
ReplyDeleteClaudia, you are SO in my thoughts and prayers today.
DeleteSometimes I will feel uneasy and have to think back upon the recent past to determine the source. It always comes to me and I can ponder my approach to the situation. I think pastor's wives have expectations of themselves that can be unrealistic.
ReplyDeleteSHOW ME THEY FACE!
Show me Thy face--one transient gleam
Of loveliness divine,
And I shall never think or dream
Of other love than Thine;
All other light will darken quite,
All lower glories wane,
the beautiful of earth will scarce
Seem beautiful again.
Show me Thy face--I shall forget
The weary days of yore;
The fretting thoughts of vain regret
Shall hurt my soul no more;
All doubts and fears for future years
In quiet trust subside,
And naught but blest content and calm
Within my breast reside.
Show me Thy face--the heaviest cross
Will then seem light to bear;
There will be gain in every loss
and peace with every care.
With such light feet the years will fleet,
Life seem as brief as blest;
Till I have laid my burden down
And entered into rest.
-unknown
Before I even read this, He "showed me His face"! :)
DeleteWhat a beautifully encouraging prayer/poem....
Thanks, Myra.
I do hope that your tears are gone; I don't like to think of you being sad for any reason.
ReplyDeleteFeel the hugs, Rebecca.
Always,
J.
That's the weird thing, Jackie. I don't think I'm "sad" ... I DO feel the hugs. Thanks.
DeleteDear, dear Rebecca ~ You've been under a lot of emotional as well as physical stress, it is no wonder tears are falling. Do take care of yourself. Caregivers need all the strength they can get in caring for others, especially loved ones.
ReplyDeleteI pray that you will feel God's love, peace and strength flowing through and surrounding you at all times.
Love and hugs ~ FlowerLady
Thank you for that prayer, Lorraine. I DO feel His strength. Without it, I'd REALLY be in a "jam"!
DeleteOur spirit is strong but our flesh get really tired....Psalms 18 :36 comes to mind....Lord, set me back on my feet.
ReplyDeleteIt was good to hear I'm not the only pastor's wife who tends to review Sunday's events! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteMinistry life can be exhausting from where we're sitting, Rebecca. Just this morning, I felt the heaviness of that role all over again, quietly thinking "Why am I doing this?" I link arms with you in this journey, knowing that the offering we're making to the Lord is not without notice. Prayers to you and all the other pastors' wives who venture here. And blessed Sabbath rest.
ReplyDelete