Like D. O. N. E. Done.
Anyone? Everyone?
I’ve kept my wits about me for the better part of these past six weeks. But yesterday, the sadness, the loneliness, the desire to sit on my couch, eat chips and do nothing all day hit hard. I can’t quite put my finger on it.
It was just a wave of done.
It probably has to do with the fact that there is literally no end in sight. Universities are announcing they are doing online only in the Fall. Schools are cancelling their summer activities and going to online summer school. My kids have an endless supply of energy and questions that on a normal day would make me a little woozy, but after six weeks 24/7, mama is done.
I’m not done loving them. I’m done feeding them (I think?) The wave of motivation just seems to have passed, carrying with it my energy and purpose.
Friend, can you relate?
Are you feeling that today? Have you been feeling that way a while? Comment below if you are feeling me. Got any tips or wisdom for those of us literally wallowing in our sorrows today?
WISDOM FROM SCRIPTURE
In my attempt to gather my demeanor and reclaim some dignity, I found myself searching the Scriptures for wisdom. And golly, did God direct me right where He wanted me: Colossians.
Colossians is filled with encouragement about living this life in the face of challenges. It may not be a long, but it is jam-packed with wisdom.
Let me preface by saying, in all honesty, these verses both fill me with hope (because that’s what God does) and fill me with regret (that’s what the enemy does). So if you face that same tension when you read Scripture, you are not alone. Let’s lean into the HOPE of what we know because God said it and recognize anything that looks or sounds like shame or regret is a lie of the devil himself. Ok?
Let’s sit with Colossians chapter 1 verse 11, shall we?
We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need.
Colossians 1:11 NLT
Friend, could you use some strength today? Some power? Some endurance? Some patience? Phew, I sure know I could!
What would it look like, when the “waves of done” come to steal our strength, power, endurance and patience, for us to ask God to keep us rooted in Him so that the waves don’t pull the things away from us we desperately need to survive.
TOOLS FROM PSYCHOLOGY
The things we say to ourselves, the voices from our past that swirl around like a broken record all impact what we believe to be true about ourselves.
So today, we’re going to practice some positive self talk. Because, friend, God made you. And He doesn’t make mistakes. You’re a masterpiece because He crafted you and knit you together.
Let’s talk straight to the “wave of done” that is sweeping our mind and spirit today. Repeat after me:
I can be tired, overwhelmed and drained AND take care of my family.
Taking care of my family looks different right now and that’s ok.
A PRAYER TO REFRAME
Father God, we need you. We are tired. We are overwhelmed. We are at the end of our ropes. We know true HOPE comes from you and we confess that in the moment, things can look and feel hopeless. With all that’s happening in the world right now, having no end in sight to this shelter in place has got us feeling all. the. feelings. And God we just want to ask you to fill us with your strength, your power, your patience and your endurance so we can take care of ourselves and our families in this stressful time. We are thankful for the blessings we are seeing too, and we don’t want to miss those. Help us reframe our circumstances through the power and strength you promise to give us when we find ourselves running on fumes. Thank you, Lord. Amen.
