Have you ever gotten so tired and worn out that all you wanted to do was to just sit or lay down and not be bothered? In your mind you may think. “Please don’t bother me for hours, maybe days. All I want to do is just veg.” That sometimes happens when you “Go go go” until all your strength is “Gone gone gone.” If you keep at it there will come a point of burnout. But for most of us it is just the point of “I want to sit/lay and just be left alone.” You have been burning the proverbial candle at both ends and your body says, “Enough is enough. I want sleep. I want some rest.” On a very minor scale that happened to me earlier this week. For the past what seems like 100 years (slight exaggeration since it has probably only been the past month) we have been in the throes of 90+ degree days with humidity off the chart. Typical Indiana weather for the “dog days” of August that began in the latter days of June! I have been baling my field…I mean mowing my grass…each week. The heat and humidity has caused the grass to grow like someone has been standing over the yard and saying, “Gr-o-o-w, gr-o-o-o-w, gr-o-o-o-w!” And doggone it the grass has heard and complied. And each week I have done my “duty” by cutting my grass, drenched to the gills in sweat and wiped out when I’m done. You see, I still walk my yard. If I walk fast and don’t weed eat I can get done in about an hour to an hour and 15 minutes. This past Tuesday I went to the Y and since I was already sweaty I decided to mow the grass. I have an electric trimmer so it lasted for part of the yard and then I mowed the part of the yard I had trimmed. I was done with the front and outside the fence when I came in to drink and Jo asked me if I was taking a break. I said, “Yes, I’m done.” “Done?” “Yes, done for the day. I’ll finish another day.” I have NEVER done part of the yard before. It has always been all or nothing.
Until this time when my body said, “Enough is enough. It is 90+ degrees out. The humidity is off the charts. Besides, you are 72. Quit acting like you are young and stop while you can…on your own.” So I did. I’m glad I was smart this time.
That can happen spiritually as well. We can go, go, go until we have nothing left. Many reach the point of burnout. Others quit just in time. Fortunately, I pastor a church where I have the blessing of the leaders and others who say, “Take a break. Don’t feel guilty for taking time to slow down.” I’m eternally grateful for that.
Now all I need to do is finish cutting my grass this afternoon. 🙂
Dick and I both have found that the exhaustion point comes sooner these days than it used to. We have been trimming (more like hacking at) some bushes in our backyard for about a week. After an hour we are both drenched in sweat and can’t stand up straight, so it is taking a while to get it done.
Spiritually, I have sometimes done the same thing. I try to say yes when I am asked to do something that I feel serves God. But too many yeses and I am stretched thin, not giving any task the attention and effort it needs. Or in my devotions I may try to read too many devotionals and too many verses per day and end up not really getting anything out of them because I just wanted to get “done”.
Glad your church looks out for you! That is a gift!
Ain’t getting old fun??? 🙂 And I have done the same thing spiritually as well Pam. Too many to read that I miss the focus of what God is really saying. And yes, I am blessed.
We all need to know when it’s time to stop and say, “Enough.” If we are worn out physically, mentally or spiritually, we can’t possibly do our best for God. Even He rested on the Sabbath day. And I sure can’t even begin to imagine cutting grass in that type of heat and humidity at our age – LOL! Blessings, Bill!
And there is no shade whatsoever! I have no trees in my yard. The only leaves in the fall blow from the neighbors’ trees. Unfortunately, they don’t blow shade. 🙂 You are also right Martha that we need to say, “Enough!” or our boeies will.
I also push mow and have been mowing 2 times a week the grass is growing so much, and drenched and hating summer. I tell people we do not have a summer cutting grass anymore, now its at least 8 months of grass cutting.
Spiritually I have tried at times to focused on the amount of reading and not slowing down and taking it in. Trying to participate in to many studies at one time. It is more important to make sure your time with God, is devoted to hearing and learning from God, and drawing closer to God. Building that relationship with the Lord, nothing else is as important as that.
Gotta agree with you about the 8 months of grass cutting. 🙁 But also have to agree with you on the hearing and learning Gail. Nothing is as important as learning and growing and drawing closer.