Have you ever been so tired that you told people you were worn? My daddy, who is very country, used to always say, “I’m just plum worn out!” Being a bit of nerd, I like to look up the meaning of words (mostly because I sometimes misuse them… I blame my dad because he always made up so many of his own). Webster’s Dictionary defines worn as:
- Diminished in value or usefulness through wear, use and/or handling
- Wearied; exhausted
Reading that, I think there’s a difference in being tired and being worn. I cannot think of anyone who is more worn tonight than a sweet young mother who I was introduced to through my blog. Tomorrow, she will wake up and face the harsh reality that is every mother’s nightmare… she will be laying her precious, first born to rest. Almost six months old, he has fought for every breath due to a genetic disorder called Zellwegers. For her, being worn is a huge understatement.
All of us have something big we face in this life. You may have gone through something as a child; maybe it’s the season you are in now that is painful; or possibly there’s a storm on the horizon and you know it’s headed for you. I want you to take a moment and think back on what it is that has worn you? What has diminished your value or usefulness due to wear and tear? What is it that has left you weary and exhausted? Maybe it’s happening right now… Maybe it’s coming.
As I’ve been praying for this friend, a particular song comes to mind.
Click on the link below to listen or read the lyrics to a song by Tenth Avenue North
I’m tired I’m worn, my heart is heavy
From the work it takes to keep on breathing
I’ve made mistakes, I’ve let my hope fail
My soul feels crushed by the weight of this world
Chorus:
And I know that you can give me rest
So I cry out with all that I have left
Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart that’s frail and torn
I want to know a song can rise from ashes of a broken life
And all that’s dead inside can be reborn….Cause I’m worn
I know I need to lift my eyes up,
But I’m to weak, life just won’t let up
(Chorus)
My prayers are wearing thin
Ya I’m worn
Even before the day begins
Ya I’m worn
I’ve lost my will to fight
I’m worn
So heaven come and flood my eyes
(Chorus)
Have you lost your will to fight? Have your prayers worn thin? Are you afraid that these struggles will never end? None of us leave this life unscathed. We all face tragedies…Moments that we would not wish on our worst enemies… Battles that have left us scared for life. I love this song because it truly captures our hearts cry during the difficult times… the moments where we lift our eyes up and seek deliverance because WE. ARE. WORN!
Would you believe me if I told you that the Lord is still good even though he allows tragedies? He is! Even in our darkest hour. He walks with us through the valley of the shadow of death! (Psalm 23:4) He is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). He lifts us from the pit and sets our feet on the rock (Psalm 40:2). He is close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18).
My heart is broken for my friend; and yet at the same time, I’m encouraged by her strength and faith that she has shown even in her darkest hour. She told me this evening that she “wants her son’s story to be a light for Jesus.” It already has been, and will continue to be, just that. I can only imagine how worn she must be at this hour. Maybe you’re worn too. Can I offer you hope that one day we will all see…
That redemption does win
The struggle does end
That He can mend a heart that’s frail and torn
That a song WILL rise from ashes of a broken life
And all that’s dead inside WILL be reborn…
Even though for a season, we are worn.
Sam this is a very heart warming post.GOD sure gave the right words for this sweet MOM you speak to!LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!!!!!
Love you too!! But I don’t think there are any words that help in this situation. Please pray for them. The hurt they must be feeling right now can’t be explained. Thanks again!
Blessed are they who mourn for they shall be comforted! What comfort you are to this precious mother who has just lost her child. No one can comfort better than someone who is in the same boat. God has given you a special gift of writing these sweet words of comfort.
Thanks for your kind words Vicki, but I don’t think anyone can comfort her except Jesus right now. I haven’t lost my boy yet. Please continue to pray for her and her husband. Thanks friend. 🙂
Sam-
I love your heart. Thank you for this post. God is good. It’s in these moments we see him the clearest. That’s a blessing. Praying for you girl.
Lindsey
Thank you Lindsey, its so true how we see Him! I am praying for you guys as well! We love you guys! 🙂
I just wanted you to know that you are an amazing blogger…. and an even more amazing christian. I look forward to your posts and you are such an inspiration to me as a “baby” christian. I’ve always been a christian but I didn’t start attending church regularly until I was pregnant with Johnny. I went as a child until my family just stopped attending when I was around 7 years old and I am grateful for that strong base of a foundation… it is what brought me back so many years later. You truly teach me more about being a christian and about God and his word with every blog you post. Johnny and I pray together for your family every night and Gideon is always in my thoughts. His story and yours are doing God’s work. Luv ya girl!
Farideh,
Thank you so much for your encouraging words! I’m beyond blessed to know that you and Johnny pray together for us. How wonderful are those moments! I’m glad that my blog is helpful, it really just started as a way to release my frustrations to the world but it appears it has become more of my hearts cry to God. Raising our children to know the Lord is so important- I believe that so much more after teaching middle school for five years. There’s a moral foundation that is missing from so many children today. God bless you for pointing your children to Christ!! Thanks again for messaging me. You’ve blessed my heart in a big way! 🙂
Thank you Sam. I needed this today.
Thanks for reading Carolyn. Glad it was encouraging. 🙂
Hey Sam! I wanted to share some scriptures with you. You and your family are on my mind and in my heart .
Philippians 4:6-7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
These next scriptures are dear to my heart. I recently sang a song “Where The Light Is” at my brothers church and I wanted to share that song with you as well. Reading your blog, I see that you are being a light to the people out there with similar situations. I might not be in a similar situation, but your words and the scriptures you post are a blessing. So I wanted to thank you for being a light!
Isaiah 42:16
16 I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.
Psalm 18:28
28 You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.
Luke 11:33-35
33 “No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. 34 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness. 35 See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness.
http://youtu.be/LepxbCi8MgE
Hap! Thank you so much for this! I love all those as well! Philippians 4:6-7 is a favorite for sure. It’s funny because this whole blogging experience started so I could vent my experiences with Gideon. I never imagined it would be a light for anyone. So thank you for encouraging me in that! Words cannot express how much I appreciate your friendship and your prayers. I’m so blessed to call you my friend. Looking forward to getting the families together sometime soon! Take care! 🙂
Thank you Moncler! I appreciate you reading! 🙂