A Refreshing Evening Prayer

I wrote a morning prayer a couple of years ago that continues to bless others. A reader recently asked if there's an evening prayer, so here it is.

Dear Lord, for as long as I can remember a day is only 24 hours, but this one felt longer than that. Weariness sets in and we wonder where you are, but I know that you hear me even before I choose to pray. My burdens are no secret. You hear the breath you put in my bones even when it’s shallow. I thank you that I’m known by you.

At the end of this day, I’m reassured that I can come boldly to your throne to find grace in my time of need (Hebrews 4:16). I can pray with assurance to you because you are a faithful God, regardless of the day I’ve had. At the end of this day Lord, I come to you knowing that you will hear and comfort me.

I know that in peace I will both lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety (Psalms 4:7-8). You are still God in the middle of mysterious things. The days transition by your power—you are the author of my life even when I’m not awake. Thank you for using these moments to remind me of your sovereignty.

What To Do When You're Unmotivated

Source

There's a million and one things to be accomplished, but you just don't have the wherewithal to tackle  any of them. Ever been there? I have.

This can last for an hour, a day, a month or a while. So how do you rev yourself up?

Here are some things that have worked for me:

• Stepping back - sometimes getting a different perspective really provides the impetus we need to get moving.

• Knowing what's at stake - it maybe that the kids or husband are depending on you.

• Recognizing that you are worthy - and what you are doing is worthwhile.

• Physical activity - anything (within reason) that's sustained and gets the blood flowing

• Playing a game with a child.

• Taking a long drive - I live in California so driving along PCH eventually becomes very relaxing and clears my head.

• Going to the beach and walking along the shore.

• Talking something through - sometimes with a good friend, a trusted person or a random stranger in a coffee shop. Because we're more similar than different, just verbalizing may be all that we need to get going.

• Quiet meditation (is there any other kind?).

• Dealing with today's challenges - not tomorrow's or the whole week, just today.

• Worrying less and trusting more.

• Just doing it - here's an anecdote. I enjoy running; I like what it does for me and how I feel after I run. But 99.9% of the time the hardest part of running for me is getting out there and getting started. Once I start, all doubt is erased and my focus is simply on enjoying myself and finishing.

So the next time you feel unmotivated, uninspired, or blah fight it as much as you can; even surrendering is fighting. You won't stay this way for long - there's too much to live for.

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 [NLT]
Do you have anything to add to this list?

Rest & Reunion

Come aside and rest awhile - and that's exactly what I've been doing these past two weeks. I knew I needed a break when I felt as if I couldn't think anymore and I was on auto pilot. I knew I needed a break, because I was just plain old TIRED.

I have a large family by today's standards - four children. The three older ones were in various locations until our 2nd weekend in NY. For the first week, we took a mini vacation in the Poconos - it was restful and relaxing and our cabin did have that hot tub in it that you saw in the commercials, but it wasn't heart shaped. The scenery in the mountains is beautiful and the humidity was non-existent. The older I get the more I appreciate nature; I've noticed this trait in my husband also, and I love it.

The purpose of this vacation was to rest and also have our first family reunion on my side. One of the drivers for this event was the death of my brother last year; he was the first to die in the family. When we came together for the funeral - though it was sad, a common theme was that we needed to be intentional about getting together before tragedy strikes. And so after much hard work the Family Reunion took place the 2nd weekend in July and it was a blast! We met family members from overseas, reconnected with those we had not seen in years, talked, laughed, ate, and cried. There's a beloved uncle (my father's brother) who now has Alzheimer’s and it was heart wrenching to see him - he didn’t recognize anyone and this disease turns you in to a child. Unfortunately his wife passed away during this time so we went to her funeral Friday night.

I love to see the younger generations connecting and genuinely getting along with each other. I love hearing what each person does.

I was able to rest and reconnect with family. I do think Family is one of God's greatest gifts which we often take for granted probably because we get too tired to see the blessings that they are.

I hope you're getting some much needed rest this summer.

Does your family have a reunion? If not, why not? If yes I'd love to hear more. Any additional plans for the summer?