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My almost 13 (wow – where do those years go?) niece broke her hand catching a fly ball in her winter-ball game (softball in the off season) the other morning. She’s out for the season. As you can imagine by the mere fact that she plays softball year round, it’s a pretty big disappointment. She couldn’t finish the game, as it was quite apparent a trip to the ER was in order, much less come back and finish the season with her team. Her momentum has been thwarted.

Have you ever felt this way? Like you just can’t finish the game, much less make it through the season? I’ve had those moments. And my prayers sound something like this: Lord, I’m too tired to keep parenting these children. Lord, I’m too broken to show your love and grace to this difficult person. Lord, I’m hurting and upset and I just can’t do it anymore, I can’t take this suffering anymore.

Fortunately for me, this isn’t a permanent affliction. It won’t be for my niece either, though the road to health will require some doctor’s visits and maybe surgery, she will recover.

Sometime’s that is just what I need too, a visit with my maker, a mental break from momentary sufferings. As I turn to my Savior and cry out in the midst of my hurt and weakness, he meets me. He lovingly tends my wounds and gives me strength for the day.

2 Samuel 22:33 33 It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.

1 Chronicles 16: 8-11 8 Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. 9 Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. 10 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. 11 Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

Isaiah 40:28-30 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 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.

Sometimes all I (and maybe you) need is to do is re-frame my pain and suffering. Lord, you made the whole earth and you love me. You never tire of caring for my needs and you always give me the strength to carry on. Thank you for giving me your strength.

And he does.