Day 25 Summer Psalms 121-125

The days before school begins are physically exhausting for a teacher. It is much like opening a new business.  New inventory needs unpacked, packing slips checked, business files copied, and management materials need to be in place and ready for operation. The operating space needs to be functional, flowing, and attractive. Technology must be set up and in working order. Interoffice business needs addressed, last minute maintenance issues need repaired, and certainly activities (lessons) need to be planned. Then the meetings with the managers (administrators) and colleagues (teachers) must convene before a customer (child) ever steps through the door. It really is an oxymoron, both energizing and exhausting at the same time.

Yesterday, I worked all day in my classroom and arrived home with a severe headache (most likely due to the glue in the carpeting recently laid in my room) and literally wiped out. I had to drag my aching body out for the evening walk with my pup, Ira. He didn't understand my lack of energy as he pulled me along our familiar trail. Bedtime could not arrive soon enough for me, my aching head hit the pillow and drifted into and out of a fretful sleep. The days before school starts are indeed sleep deprived. A teachers mind spins and spins, rechecking preparations, creating plans, and of course, anticipating new students. These are my current nights and my mornings. My mind will not stop. It is energized, yet exhausted from the whirling of thoughts.

Despite my busy days, however, I'm determined to continue the 30 days of Psalms. I opened my Bible up this morning to Psalm 121-125 not realizing I would find the support I need for my present condition of fatigue. It is just another one of those daily miracles that so often reveals itself when one is living in the Word. Psalm 121, a song traditionally sung for long journeys, explains how the Lord is our keeper in verse 2, "From whence does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." The verse continues with beautiful images of the Lord keeping us as we endure any journey of life, verses 5-8, "The Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not smite you by day, nor the moon by night...The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever more." 

In Psalm 122, the imagery of standing in the house of the Lord is restful and in Psalm 123 the reminder of lifting up our eyes to the heavens and looking upon the Lord our God is calming. Nothing in our lives needs to be shouldered without His support. Psalm 124:8 tells us that, "Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth." The miracles found in God's word never cease to amaze me. As I read the first verses of Psalm 125, I am completely certain that God has spoken directly to my heart this morning. "Those who trust in the Lord cannot be moved, but abide forever, as the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people, from this time forth and for evermore!" These words convey to me that I am not alone in these weeks of physical and mental challenges! My Lord is my help!

Today's miracle did not end with the powerful words of the Psalms, it continued. As I have explained in previous blogs, my daily devotional God Calling is also an inspired text. When I opened up to August 24, my eyes widened as I read the title on the page, "Exhaustion"! Yes, believe it! Here are the words Jesus himself revealed to two unknown listeners:

Exhaustion

We seek Thee as Thou hast told us.

And seeking you shall find. None ever sought My Presence in vain. None ever sought My Help in vain.

A breath of desire and My Spirit is there -- to replenish and renew. Sometimes weariness and exhaustion are not signs of lack of spirit but of the guiding of the Spirit.

Many wonderful things would not have happened but for the physical weariness, the mind-weariness of My servants, which made the resting apart, the giving up of work, a necessity...

Though My Way may seem a narrow way it yet leads to Life, abundant Life. Follow it. It is not so narrow but that I can tread it beside you.

Never too lonely with such companionship. A comrade infinitely tender, infinitely strong, will tread the way with you.

Wow! Today's little miracle reminds me once again of the rich, saving power of God's word. I now feel refreshed, light, and nourished from today's holy Psalms and the precious words of Jesus in God Calling. I'm refortified and prepared to not only face the exhaustion but the excitement of the first week of school!