I cried four out of five days this week. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, it was a morning cry when I was trying to get out the door and face the day. Friday was a week's end, let-it-all-out sort of cry once I got home.
Sure, the eighth month of pregnancy is not helping me keep the water works in. And the current confusion about Andy's job isn't either. But this week, it was more than just what was going on in my immediate situation that was causing the tears. A handful of my students have been through an extraordinarily tough week. I'm not even talking about the normal end of the year stress stuff, not to diminish that, because it can be really hard. But these are like, life-altering stressful challenges. The struggle is real.
As we studied the Life of Moses this year, I learned about how he would fall down before the Lord in prayer. Seemed like he was always just falling flat on his face in intercession for the people. And, to be honest, I didn't really get that. I knew I should want to intercede, but, let's be honest, life is busy, and while I do pray for my students on a regular basis, it was more the "on the way to work" variety than the stop-you-where-you-are, fall-on-your-face kind. But that changed this week.
This morning, I'm on my face. Thinking about these young lives and the need, the hurt, the weariness, the physical and emotional pain. All I can do is pray. And this is what I'm praying.
"Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom."
Some of my students are tired, some weary, some seeking understanding that they currently just don't have. ME TOO.
In this confusing, exhausting time, what can I do but recognize that the Creator of the ends of the earth is our only recourse? So that's my prayer. My fall down on my face prayer. For them. And for me. Tired, weak and weary. Confused, frustrated and waiting for answers...
"He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak."
This part, especially, reminds me of those young ones that I love...
"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint."
God who never tires,
Encourage us. Strengthen us. Give us your understanding and your power to be able to make it through this difficult time. Turn us from frail, flightless birds to strong eagles soaring. To You be the glory. Amen.
