It’s been a good week, but a tiring one.  Finishing up school and last-minute holiday preparations coupled with not sleeping well several nights in a row left me completely worn out last night when I went to bed.  I woke up this morning feeling more rested than I have in days, but still utterly exhausted and overwhelmed. A little after 6 am, I was dressed in layers and ready to go meet my running buddy. I had five minutes before I needed to leave. I sat down with my Bible and my beloved Streams. The Lord gave me this…

“The journey is too much for you.” I Kings 19:7

What did God do with Elijah, His tired servant?  He allowed him to sleep and then gave him something good to eat.  Elijah had done tremendous work…but the run had been too much for him and had sapped his physical strength, ultimately causing him to become depressed.  Just as others in this condition need sleep and want their ailments treated, Elijah’s physical requirements needed to be met.

There are many wonderful people who end up where Elijah did – “under a juniper tree” (I Kings 19:4)!  When this happens, the words of the Master are very soothing:  “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.”  In other words, “I am going to refresh you.”

And then, without even thinking of today’s date, I felt led to read the Psalm for today.  Psalm 23.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

He restores my soul.

Oh what a beautiful gift to help me refocus, to remind me once again to slow.  What a delightful reminder that God is with me and knows my deepest needs and that He is eager to meet me there.  He is a good and gracious God, gentle and tender, and loving in spite of our weakness.

As we lean into the final pre-Christmas hours, I’m praying that you also have been able to slow and to focus. May your heart be set on Him as we draw closer to the celebration of His birth.

Wishing you a blessed, Christ-centered Christmas! Be sure to come back tomorrow when I’ll have a very special guest post for Christmas.

By His Grace ~

~ Sara