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      I realized after putting my baby’s diaper on my two year old and my two year olds diaper on my three month old that I… am… exhausted! I sat on the floor in a daze as I switched the diapers back thinking, “I don’t know if I can handle this for much longer.”
   
       In the last two months our family has dealt with a puking bug, three double ear infections, four colds, strep throat, two-year molars, countless temper tantrums and as of today…a cold sore. 


          There is something about having a baby that turns your world upside down and spinning on the wrong axis. My firstborn was colic. For someone that needs an average of 10 hours of sleep to feel functional you can imagine how difficult the transition was.  

          I once went three whole days without sleeping. One particular night, I was so tired that when William woke up for his 3am feeding I sat on my bed holding ‘my baby’ for two full minutes before I realized that I was nursing my pillow! True story!

            Although I can safely say that I haven’t found myself nursing my pillow recently, I am worn out. I am drained physically, emotionally and yes…spiritually.
          
            Have you ever felt worn out spiritually? Like your faith has been stretched as far as it possibly could be without breaking?            

            The other day I was letting out all of my frustration on my kitchen countertops. I clean when I’m frustrated about something….I clean a lot. Out of the blue I heard the Holy Spirit say, “Cease your striving.”

            I am reminded of Martha and her sister Mary in the bible. Martha was working so hard and Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet. When Martha complained to the Lord he said,

          “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”  Luke 11:41-42


            For years I understood this verse as Jesus chiding Martha. That bothered me because I am a Martha. I am a worker. I am a worrier. The Lord wasn’t reprimanding Martha…He was inviting her to rest. Jesus was basically saying,

          “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”  Matthew 11:29-30

           If we could just be still and know that He is God, He would gently take the rag from our hands and along with it the heaviness on our shoulders. The Lord understands our struggles…He knows what we are going through is hard.

            We have the opportunity to see the Lord glorify Himself through our circumstances if we would just REST.

            Isn’t that so comforting? We don’t have to strive and we certainly don’t have to go through our struggles alone.



            "Cease striving and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10 NISB

    About the Author

    Hi, My name is Audrey Frazier. Thank you for visiting. I am a wife and mother of two (2yr & newborn). I love my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I hope to share my thoughts, experiences and embarrassments with anyone brave enough to read them!

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