Graduation... almost!

     Well, D-Day, minus 3.
     High school graduation finally happens in 3 days on Monday morning.  Honestly, we've been celebrating graduation, going to rehearsals, attending ceremonies,  buying graduation presents, eating our way through BBQ's, brunches, and dinners for what seems like months.  Years, maybe.  At this point, we will all be staggering across the finish line.
     And then there's all those other areas of life that are, well, just incredibly busy right now.  Some of these events are glorious, like planning a wedding; others are sorrowful, but sweet--like our wonderful uncle who just went home to be with the Lord.  By the time Monday finally rolls around, we'll all be exhausted... but especially grateful.
     So, I don't know about anybody else, but right now I'm in need of a little spiritual transfusion... a bit of God-strengthening in the midst of a joyful, but protracted, busy, exhausting season of life.  For those of us who need a word from the One who loves us infinitely--even when we feel like all we can do it muster the teensy bit of energy to crawl up to the finish line--here's a tiny reminder:
     "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." (Isa.40:31)
     "Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!" (Ps.27:14)
     "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you.  Yes, I will help you.  I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." (Isa.41:10)
     "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." (Heb.12:1)
     O Lord, keep us fixed upon You.  Keep us running the race marked out for us--even when we are weary and tempted to quit.  Remind us of Your presence and fill us with Your hope... for we know Your hope never disappoints.  And point us to others who might need a word of encouragement in the midst of the race of life.  Give us eyes to see the hurt, Lord, and hands and hearts ready to share Your love with them.  Teach us to slow our pace so that we can walk not only with You, Lord Jesus, but also with others.  
     In the midst of our busyness, keep us faithful. In our perplexity, keep us peaceful.  In our exhaustion, keep us joyful.  In our stress, keep us grateful.  And in our blessings, make us a blessing to others.
     Sure, we may have too much on our plate right at the moment.  But Lord, You made the plate... and You hold the whole planet in Your perfect, sovereign, omnipotent hands.  Father, You've got it all under control, and so we place our trust in You.  Thank You for graduations.... and weddings... and long lives well lived... and for all the countless reminders of Your faithfulness to us, day in and day out.   To God be the glory.