It’s been about 2 months since coming home from Guatemala, and the thing that I haven’t shared with most people is that the trip left me more drained than I expected and willing to admit.  I tried the usual strategy of “fake it ’till you make it”, hoping that if I dove back into the usual activity that I’d start feeling like my usual self.  Instead, it was like pouring water into a funnel that was draining as fast as it was filling.

I found myself at the alter one Sunday night talking to God about how empty I was feeling, and the prayer that came out was a request to God to somehow fill me up.  One conversation at a time.  One experience at a time.  Incrementally, little by little.  I didn’t know what else to ask.  And last Sunday night, I was back at the alter praying, and I realized that I felt less empty and more equipped to be present for other people, to reengage with life in a fuller way.  What was it that did it?  How did I get from feeling spent to feeling restored?

1.  Prayer.  I talked to God a lot about what was going on, how I was feeling, what I was seeing.  I’ve also been more faithful in talking to him about some specific prayers, continuing to bring those to the table, and therefore seeing more movement in my life.

2.  Rest.  I got sick.  I took 2 naps a day.  I couldn’t go to work, run errands, do housework.  It was as if my body knew that I needed rest that I wouldn’t fully find on my own schedule.  Rest is wonderful and healing.  I also decided to take a little break from planning or coordinating, and spent a bit more time at home.

3.  Healthy friends.  An evening with Scot and Stephanie; dinner with the Wallaces; phone calls with Anita and Nate; conversations with people I love which fed wellness and wholeness into the parts of my spirit which were broken.

I see the answered prayer for restoration of my spirit, my energy, my passion, and I’m excited to see the way God answers prayer and brings healing like only he can.