January is always a tough month for me. The short days leave me little time to spend outdoors and I battle the winter blues. Maybe, part of the problem is I spent too much time working and running during the holiday season, which cut into my time alone with God.
While reading a passage from George H. Morrison’s Meditations on the Gospels. The passage on page 39, “Enough” emphasized Christ also became weary. (Isn’t it funny how God will place the words you need to read in your hand?) This book sat on my shelf for seven years before I opened it last week. A mentor and friend cleaned out his library, and he offered me a box of books. It’s taken me this long to get to them. (Yes, my bookshelf is full.) Meditations on the Gospels was among the cache. The friend who gifted me with the books passed away in August of 2014 and it made me smile to realize he is still mentoring me through the sharing of his books. Thank you, Don Phillips in heaven.
As I pondered all the times Jesus must have felt weary, it occurred to me the scriptures also tell us Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:15.
Last week, the weather was mild in Kentucky, and a weak sun lit the afternoon forest. A true miracle for January. I took two days off from work with the plan to write, but I spent the afternoons outside, walking through the woods and enjoying a campfire alone. I felt a little guilty about doing this because I didn’t meet my writing goal, but the time spent outdoors walking, praying, and sitting still re-energized me for the work God prepared for me.
Are you a little sad and weary? Do you battle sadness during the short dark days? I hope you can find a peaceful place where you can withdraw and spend time with the Father and allow Him to fill you with His peace and strength for the journey. It is so important for our physical and mental health to have a balance in life. We all need time alone and rest with the Father.
And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. Mark 1:35 ESV.
