Do you ever have days when you wake up weary? Recently, I was shaken out of a dead sleep by my sweet daughter at 5:00 a.m. The night before, I’d been up with my son until midnight. At first I laughed about it.
“How can this be? My baby days are over, but these kids are still keeping me up at night!”
By noon, I was running on empty, dragging through the day with a less than stellar attitude. Our family had planned to go on a hike together in a forest just outside of town after homeschool. How was I going to do that on five hours of sleep? By late afternoon, when we got out of the car to start our hike, my efforts to be a good sport were wearing thin. We made our way up the path, surrounded by pine trees on either side. As the path got steeper, I lagged behind.
My husband and kids continued walking uphill, but the exhaustion of the day began to catch up with me. Why had I even come? My legs ached.
When we got to the top of the mountain, my weariness transformed to wonder.
The view of the valley, our city, and the bay beyond it transfixed me. I sat down and listened to the breeze blowing through the pine trees overheard. I looked up and watched the branches wave in the wind against the blue sky. I remembered how Jesus likened the Holy Spirit to the wind. You can’t see it, but you can feel its effects.
As I listened to the wind and felt it on my face, God’s Spirit began to rise up in me.
I felt new strength rise up inside me.
I felt new faith and hope rise up.
God gave me the gift of a special encounter with Him.
My family continued exploring the mountain top, but I just sat, enjoying God’s presence, somehow more real to me out in that forest. That special meeting with God in nature transformed my day. When it was time to go home, I had a smile on my face.
You’ve probably had your share of bad days. Isn’t it good to know that God is ready to step into our day any time we call on Him? Just as surely as the sun rises every morning, God comes to us when we call. When He comes, he brings new strength and fresh grace.
Now it’s your turn: Have you had an encounter with God lately that turned a bad day around?
I’m linking up with Kate Motaung’s Five Minute Friday. Writers all around the world join in a flash mob of free writing. This week’s prompt is “Rise.” Join us over at Kate’s place for fun and encouragement. Also joining with Grace & Truth, Suzie Eller’s #LiveFreeThursday, and The Weekend Brew.
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I used to work on a ranch and had a very similar experience as the dust settled and the sun set in the afternoon. My hands were dirty, I was sweaty and messy and used up, but in the very best way. In the way where you’ve fulfilled a purpose. A ranch dog and I would sit in the shade of an oak and watch the sun set. There was God in those moments.
#21 from FMF, thanks for sharing the beauty of that moment, I could totally relate!
Even your comment here is waking up wonder in me about how God comes into our moments. Thanks for relating your experience.
i love your post today:) great reminder that getting up and moving around is so much help to our bodies and minds. getting out and doing it is even more beneficial too! and the beauty of GOD’s creation is so rejuvenating to isn’t it? blessings!
Yes, Martha! Getting up and moving around helps us. I was thinking in termsof the spiritual, but physical activity helps rejuvenate us!
I love when we rise to God He meets us in our weariness. What a blessing you found in that moment of rising and surrendering to the wonder of God. Happy weekend friend!
Happy weekend to you, Mary.
Betsy, I love the wind and how it represents the unpredictability and power of God’s Spirit. Thank you for inviting us into your moment with Him on your hike – your words always draw me in and bless me. May all of our weariness be turned to wonder today! Great post!
Amen, Karen! Weariness to wonder! Sounds good to me on this Friday afternoon!
“When we got to the top of the mountain, my weariness transformed to wonder.” What a powerful sentence with physical, emotional, and, most importantly, spiritual meaning! God’s Spirit always comes when we need Him most and brings strength and joy–thank you fro this beautiful and encouraging post! Now, I really want to go hiking! 😀
Thanks for reading and commenting, Michele. Hope you get to go hiking soon! When God’s Spirit rises in us, great things happen!
We have good days and bad days, and each belong to the Lord. I think we experience His grace more on the bad days than on the good. Blessings from Grace & Truth link up and #FMF!
I think you’re right, Samantha! Definitely we experience more grace on the bad days. That’s looking on the bright side.
I smiled when you commented on teens making their parents as sleep deprived as babies did! We’re there with you!
During this time of year, I am rejuvenated by just going outside to see the day’s progress in my flower garden! Everything is growing and changing so fast (kinda like those teens I just mentioned!), and the flowers are so delicate in the spring.
Oh how lovely, Michele! Going out to the garden to see the day’s progress. Connecting with beauty and nature does rejuvenate!
Thanks for these encouraging words, Betsy. I love your description of the hike and how God blessed you with this beautiful view and moment of rest and reflection. As if He was saying all along, “Come on, come on, I’ve got something for you!” He’s always wanting to bless us.
Yes, Jeanie, He always wants to bless us. We’re the ones who sometimes keep going at breakneck speed and can’t even slow down for five minutes to receive. (At least that’s how I am!)
Another lovely post, Betsy! It was as if I was right there with you on that mountain, enjoying the scenery, feeling the breeze, being rejuvenated. I’m so glad God gives us second chances on our bad days!
I’m glad for second chances too, Ruthie!
When we put our focus on His goodness our weariness does turn to wonder! Thank you for this encouragement! (Stopping by from #fmf… Happy Friday to you!)
Hope you have a good weekend too, Rachel!
Betsy,
It’s no longer my kids leaving me exhausted…it’s my dogs. My senior gal, Zoe, has doggie dementia and she gets me up at random times during the night and the early morning hours. Lack of sleep often leaves me weary, but God in His goodness – whether it’s the variety of songbirds at my feeder or sunlight streaming down through the trees and into my kitchen windows, God always is there with a reminder of His goodness. I just need to be more intentional at looking around and seeing His signs…they are everywhere.
Blessings and have a wonderful weekend,
Bev
Bless your heart, Bev. Being kept up by dogs sounds surreal. My mom had two senior dogs–we called them the old ladies–who also kept her up. So I know what you’re talking about.
I love how those encounters can renew our spirit and our energy. I had a similar experience this week and am just so grateful for the reminder that God’s been walking this path with me the whole way and was there to renew me when I needed it.
I’m glad you had one of those experiences too, Kathryn!
Knowing that He can transform my day – and letting Him – sometimes those are two different issues! But when I let Him – oh, yes, Betsy – the day is redeemed! I bet your slept well that night!
Ha! You are so right! Knowing He can do something and letting Him do it ARE 2 different things. What a good word. Thanks!