When we Feel Depleted…

Psalm 62:1, “My soul finds rest in God alone.”

The Monday morning following ONE WOMAN, my son remembered he needed to pack a bag lunch. He had a golf match and would be getting out of school at 10:15, missing his lunch hour.

So, I reached for old faithful – the bread, peanut butter and jelly. While in a tired daze spreading peanut butter, I happened to notice the bread had an unusual color on the outer edges.

Mold. Ugh. I needed another idea but couldn’t find anything that even resembled something healthy or hearty. So, I cut the mold off the bread, finished the PB&J and sent him out with half a PB&J, pop tarts and potato chips.

And if his unhealthy lunch was not clue enough that I desperately needed to refocus my attention to my home following ONE WOMAN, the stacked laundry and dog hair served also as glaring indicators.

However, my home wasn’t the only thing in need of attention. The final weeks and days leading up to ONE WOMAN were full. (Bursting at the seams is a more accurate description.) I felt exhausted. Tired. My cup was empty and in desperate need of refilling.

Last week in my quiet time, I happened to be in 1 Kings 19. Following big ministry for Elijah on Mt. Carmel, he too was exhausted. The Lord refreshed him with sleep, food, rest and His voice spoken into his heart.

I needed the same. So in addition to a big grocery run, washing piles of laundry as well as cleaning, sweeping and vacuuming dog hair, I made time for rest and sleep. But I also made a point to extend my time with Jesus on multiple days so that I too could experience God speaking into the depths of my heart.

Anytime we pour into the lives of others be it into our families, marriages, our children, or jobs, or whatever it may be, we too need to be refilled. Our hearts need re-nourishment.

Make no mistake – nothing or no one can restore the depleted parts of our soul like Jesus can. It’s in our time with Him that our soul is restored, and our cups are refilled. He empowers us and we can continue in our purpose and passions.

If your heart feels depleted or empty, follow Elijah’s prescription: make time for rest and sleep. Eat good food. But most importantly, make extended time with Jesus a priority. When we do, He’ll fill us to overflow so that we’ll have something meaningful to give to those we love the most.