Was it You?

Last week was one of “those” weeks.

I started Monday not wanting to do life. Actually, I think I felt that way before Monday ever rolled around. The week before was so much fun, but it was also a short one work and school-wise, with much compacted into just a couple of days. The essentials had been accomplished, and most tasks had been checked off the list. But, it had been strictly a maintenance week. No moving ahead. No tackling the, to borrow from my friend Julie, “Mother Load.” And most importantly, no establishment of a distinct plan for the new week.

As I faced Monday, I felt weary emotionally, physically, and mentally. A sense of blah enveloped me, leaving me with a conflicting restlessness to both hide from the world and be with others. To both do something and nothing. To both curl up with a book and rearrange the entire house.

But, life went on, and I had to move with it. School with the children had to continue. A work schedule had to be maintained. I had to push through, whether I felt like it or not. And push on I did. Yet I came to the end of the week feeling as though nothing had been accomplished, not even maintenance. By Friday evening, I was even more convinced that I just wanted to curl up in a hole and ignore everything.

But through the whole week, there was a contradictory undercurrent. The weariness that I felt emotionally, physically, and mentally was not reflected spiritually. Spiritually, I knew peace. Spiritually, I knew comfort. Spiritually, I knew joy. Despite everything, I even knew a sense of energy and excitement spiritually.

All too frequently, the other aspects of who I am draw me down spiritually. But not last week. Last week I knew I could interact with my Savior. I knew I could glean from His Word. Prayers and illumination did not remove the weariness, nor did they ease the depressed air I felt all about me. But, they gave me strength to walk through a rough week.

What was the difference? I don’t know for sure. But I do know this. Someone was praying for me. Maybe it was you!

And I was praying for others. Every time the Lord brought them to mind, I prayed. Wanting them to feel encouragement in the midst of their struggles, I prayed. I have no idea what impact those prayers had on others, but I know that they impacted me. They strengthened me. And they allowed me to know the spiritual peace and joy that can supersede anything physical, mental, or emotional.

Was it you? Maybe you weren’t praying for me, but were you praying for someone else? Were you lifting them up, asking the Lord to bless their day with a closer walk with Him?

As you enter this week, you might feel like I did last week. You might not want to do life right now. I can’t help you out of that hole. But I can encourage you to do this: Be that person for someone else this week. Even when you feel blah yourself, lift up another. Trust that God’s going to urge someone else to be that person for you. And watch as He fills you spiritually in ways that are totally at odds with any struggles you may feel emotionally.