Sweet Exhaustion

John 13:15-17

For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

This year we did it all for the holidays: we baked, we gifted, we cleaned, we traveled, we hosted, we sang, we prepared, we celebrated, we got sick. We really did it all. And now we are left in the quiet to contemplate (recover!) God's precious gift(s) to us in this season.

The previous three Christmas seasons have been challenging: returning home from Colombia, fighting for stability and peace in our home, seeking diagnoses to help make sense of chaotic behaviors, aching to find acceptance in our own hearts and from extended family. It was a long season of quiet Christmas celebrations that even led to withdrawing from events that our family couldn't handle during those times.

This year I was determined to celebrate Christ's birth with fullness of joy. Not every moment of celebrating Christmas turned out as I had anticipated - an eye infection before before Christmas that still impacts my vision, and stomach flu that has hit half of our family since our guests have left has made a different impression on our hearts of Christmas this year. There is no disappointment or bitterness. Instead there is a sweet exhaustion of celebrating and serving one another in love and joy.

Preparing month in advance for 12 extra guests in our home along with being sick and having sick family members has allowed each of our children to see joyful service in action and to be a part of it. We are now suffering from a sweet exhaustion of loving one another. We have so much to be thankful for! The 'holidays' end tomorrow and I'm not sure that we are ready to jump back into our routine of school/work, especially if this stomach flu continues to get passed around. However, I hear quiet reminders murmured between siblings as we clean, serve, and love one another, reminders from a sermon on service a few weeks ago as our pastor challenged us to "go low" in humble loving service. This is an opportunity that never runs out!

If you are feeling a sweet exhaustion as you start the year and are looking for inspiration, I highly recommend the sermon titled, "For His Sake and for Your Joy, Go Low" .