Dear Weary Lady,
I see you, and I understand. You wake up, the same time as yesterday, in the exact same way. You drag your exhausted body down the hall, and you force your eyes to somewhat open as you make another pot of coffee. The same as yesterday. Even the creamer is the same.
You get cranky kids ready, and you count to ten trying not to yell as you risk running late. You kiss your husband goodbye, a quick, perfunctory peck, and you repeat yesterday.
The kids still throw fits, and you wonder am I teaching them anything of value? God, I’m horrible at this!
The same bills come due before you know it, and another month has gone by much like the last. The weather changes, different holidays come and go, and you notice the kids are growing when their clothes no longer fit.
Your boss expects more than you can provide, and when you get home exhausted from another long, demanding day you are rewarded with more people demanding what’s left of you. Dinner, homework, laundry, baths, and bed. Repeat.
Other than a new season of your favorite show coming up not much else excitement is on the horizon, and a melancholy discontentment caused by the everyday mundane is like an albatross around your neck. It drags you further down into the burdens you see as your lot in life.
What happened to dreams of doing more, being more, feeling like your life amounted to something of importance? As it stands you feel like just another cog on the wheel that makes this thing called life spin the same circle as the day before.
But what if I told you that you make a difference? What if I told you that your life matters? It does; we matter.
Every dirty face you wipe and booboo you kiss is another lesson in love and compassion that you are impressing upon future generations.
Every meal prepared and tender kiss given to your spouse is serving to build a relationship. It’s a beautiful love language that kindles the fire of your marriage, and it is not in vain.
Every lesson taught, no matter how many times repeated, is building a foundation for future leaders.
Every service you provide whether at work or home is building on something beyond yourself, and when done in a spirit of love you will be blessed for it, even if you cannot see. Especially when you cannot see.
Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
So many days it seems like my efforts go unnoticed, or that the many little things I do are useless. I pick up the same toys day after day, and I make the same meals over and over. I wash the dishes once again, and complete an endless supply of laundry. No one may notice or even say thank you, and I wonder why I bother.
I may do things at work that never get acknowledged, and when all I crave is a “thank you,” I may instead receive a snide, unkind remark.
Yet I matter. What I do matters. What I say matters, and if somehow, someway something I say or do can positively impact another life then I am blessed.
I may not see the outcome of my efforts, but they are there. I glimpse them in little things my children do that let me know they really were listening, and my heart smiles.
I see them in the patients who return to my work and say “thank you. You were so kind when I needed it the most.”
I see it in my husband’s smile and the warmth of his embrace after a long day apart.
You cannot always see the mark one life makes on another, but it is there. I know that wherever God places me He will use me mightily as that’s how He works. The least I can do is enjoy it. Every day is a gift, even the ones that seem to run together. In the toughest of times I can be used best to shine the light of God’s love, to be an example of His grace.
Knowing this is easy. Remembering it on a daily basis is the hard part.
I see you worn out woman, and we are the same you and I, but God is using us for His kingdom. Even a weary heart can spread the light of Jesus.
Galatians 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Don’t give up, and do not forget that you matter. We all do, and the work we are performing in our lives gives glory to The Lord. Keep up the good work, pray without ceasing, and remember that you are important. What you do is important.
Empathetically Yours,
Another Worn Out Woman
Shana Cole says
I so needed this tonight !!! Thanks so much for speaking truth to my worn out heart !! Next time I’m in Mississippi I really would love to go have lunch with you and Madison 😉 your blog is a well needed blessing !!! Thanks 😉
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much!! Anytime.
Nicole says
You are so correct I really needed this tonight. Somedays I wonder why I worked so hard to become a RN then I get home and wonder if anybody really cares. I really enjoy your blog I never comment but this really touched me. Thank you!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you. I’m so glad it touched your heart.
April Hodges says
I really needed this, thank you Brie.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you.
Carolyn Kelly says
Two of my favorite verses. We are all worth something to others. As the song goes,” Don’t stop believing,”
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you!
tracy holt says
Amen
Lavaya Johnson says
Thank you Brie!! This is exactly how I was feeling tonight. This was just the fresh wind that I needed. Thank you for allowing GOD to use you to bless and encourage other women. I pray that GOD blesses you tremendously for your obedience!!!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much!
Michaela Jones says
A friend posted this to my wall on facebook and it took me forever to read because I was crying so much. Thank you for posting this it is giving me a lot of encouragement because I do forget why I do what I do and that there is hope and that I will reap if I don’t give up. Thank you again. God is so good.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
God bless you. Thank you very much.
Jennifer Bishop says
I so needed this!! This is so true!! I am 39 and lost my husband of 21 years last month! We were high school sweethearts and I can’t remember a time when he wasn’t in my life! I am raising 3 children and sometimes get discouraged thinking why do I bother. This has touched my heart so much. Just a reminder that even in this storm that I am helping my children in while trying to stay strong for them God can and will use me!!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much for commenting and sharing your story with me. It blesses me to see how God is giving you strength, and now I can join you in prayer. God bless and your family.
Tammy says
Thank you! I needed a boost today. I’m a foster mom with a full house, ages 18,16, 2 & 2 weeks. I’m worn out, this lifted my spirits. Thank you <3
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thanks so much. Glad it lifted your spirits. God bless you in your parenting!