Threadbare & Worn

It was quite sad, really.  It was sheet washing day.  In other words, I couldn't remember the last time I washed our sheets, so it was time.  When pulling the sheets off our bed,  I was surprised to see how threadbare they were.  I knew they were getting thin.  We had these sheets for several years, and hadn't invested in a new set, due to other more immediate expenses.  After seeing the status of these sheets, I knew they would not last another washing without completely falling apart. 

We needed to spend a little more of our budget on some sheets that will last a little longer.  I quickly informed my husband, that a part of my day would be spent looking for better quality sheets and that we could not wait any longer. 

Not to worry, new sheets were purchased.  All is right with the world.

The more I thought about the status of our threadbare sheets, I thought about how reflective this was of my life.  I am feeling a little threadbare at the moment.  Nothing serious is going on.  I am not going through anything I would define as a tragedy or dire circumstances.

My weary, threadbare status comes from everyday life.  Juggling all of the balls that seem to be flying through the air at the speed of light, at the end of the day, I barely have anything left.  My children and husband still need more of me, yet there is nothing left to give. 

This is just a season, I know.  I have heard it many times.  Enjoy it.  Time goes by so fast.  The kids don't stay little for long.  Cherish every moment. 

I try, I really do.  I try to cherish my almost 2 year-old as she has learned to climb our very tall dining room chairs onto our very tall table.  I strive to enjoy my 4 year-old son as he has used his 50th "potty" word and it is not even lunchtime yet.  I struggle to treasure my 8 year-old as she is in tears over being called a potty word by her little brother, again.  My ten year-old, I try to cherish her too, as she throws a tantrum over her siblings disturbing her peace.

I am threadbare, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. 

Let me switch the order around: SPIRITUALLY, emotionally, and physically.

Because I am threadbare SPIRITUALLY, it affects me emotionally and physically.

I know this is true.  When my walk with God is SOLID and I am reading His Word daily, praying continuously, and meditating his truths, I am much stronger.  I am much more able to withstand the struggles of each day.

Paul knows a little about strength.  In his letter to the Philippians, we read one of the most misused verses in the Bible:

 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil 4:13 (NKJV)

I am completely at fault for misusing this verse.  I tend to call on God's strength like I call on ibuprofen for a headache.  "Lord, give me strength!"

But I don't think Paul meant it this way.  Earlier in the chapter, he writes to the church of Philippi:
rejoice in the Lord; be gentle to others; don't worry, pray; dwell on things that are noble, pure, just, and lovely.  Paul goes on to say that he doesn't have much, but has learned to be content, regardless of his circumstances, because of this he has God's strength to do all things. 

He already HAS God's strength.  Through cultivating his relationship with the Lord, he is STRONG in the Lord.  Paul rejoices and prays, he is gentle and kind, he dwells on good things, and he is content.  He continuously grew in his relationship with God, which in turn gave him the strength he needed to endure his circumstances. 

I am going to remain weary and threadbare if I don't continue growing in my relationship with God.  If I am to do ALL things that I am called to do as a wife and mother, I must already have God's strength in me to begin with.  Although I do believe God will give us strength when we call on Him, how much MORE STRENGTH could I have if my life was centered on God, as Paul's was?

So, here is the Leah version of Philippians 4:13 - "If I remain strong in the Lord, I can do all things."


Now to go rescue my toddler from the top of the dining room table...

Leah