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As a parent of "two under two," a one-and-a-half year old and a ten week old, I have started many a recent journal entry with "Good morning, Lord. I'm tired...."

Lately a familiar verse (Isaiah 40:30-31) has been rattling around in my mind:

"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."

Though people often seem to focus on the imagery of "soaring on wings like eagles," it is the last phrase that has drawn me in during these past few weeks: "they will walk and not be faint."

This phrase has both comforted and challenged me during these tiring weeks — comforted me because it reminds me that God does not always mean for me to "soar" or "run"; sometimes all He intends for me to do is keep walking and not fall over. In this season of life, on many days it seems He gives just enough strength and time for me to put in a faithful work day, help Christie put the girls to bed, and get to sleep as soon as possible, knowing we will start the whole thing over again in a handful of hours. Isaiah's words remind me that God is with me in my "walking" seasons as much as in my "soaring" ones, and probably even more so.

These words have also challenged me. They press against that part of me that finds my worth in accomplishments, that seeks joy in life's margins instead of at its center. They confront me with the reality that, while I am easily aware of God's presence when journaling or studying the Bible, I struggle to experience His presence while dealing with a cranky toddler or helping my little one back to sleep at 3:00 am. And it's not because He's not there.

I realize I am not a fan of walking. I want to run ahead past these "mundane" parts of life so I can get on to "more important things," whatever those are. Too often I try to cram in everything I want even when there isn't room for it; I try to run at times when God means for me only to walk. And I end up running ahead of Him until, left to my own strength, I find myself burned out in ways He never intended.

This morning I went on a walk with my two girls — you know, one of those .05 mph holding-a-toddler's-hand sort of walks. With nothing else to do, I drank in the open sky, painted with blues and fluffy whites; I soaked in the warmth of the sun and felt the cool breeze on my neck; Grace and I admired the foothills and (literally) stopped to smell the roses; I watched Grace affectionately pulling her six-wheeled pet "ca-ga-pa-ta" behind her, while Cora nuzzled against my chest, falling asleep.

The treasures of walking.

I am learning. There are times God means for us to soar — and we would be remiss at those moments to play it safe and keep our feet on the ground — but there are other times God means to slow us down and show us Himself, and ourselves, with the attention to detail that only walking can afford.


4 comments:

  1. I didn't know that you're a blogger! Must have just started? Thanks for writing this post! I really liked you thoughts about how, sometimes, God calls us to walk without falling over and how that isn't any less of a blessing or adventure than the times when he calls us to soar. I guess this is because God ultimately calls us to himself. Jason and I are quickly entering a "walk without falling over" season for the next few months (because of school stuff) so this was very encouraging!

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    1. Thanks Andrea. *I* was encouraged to hear that God used this to encourage you. :)

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  2. Stumbled on this and it's particularly relevant right now- thanks for sharing! God is no less strong when he empowers us to walk, than when he enables us to soar. :) Praying you guys would dearly know God's nearness in times of soaring and walking on your new journey!
    ~Carrie

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    1. I'm glad God spoke to you through this. He is good! Oh man, these first months overseas are definitely a "walking" season where we're able to accomplish so little. Thanks for your prayers, and for putting these thoughts back on my radar. :)

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