I have moments where I dream of doing big things. Maybe not world changing, but dramatic, exciting, people-affecting things. But isn’t this often the biggest and hardest thing right here? To love my family. The ones I see all the time. The ones who aren’t being lovely. Who are in fact being their worst. To love those who are draining. To love when it feels like there is nothing left to give.

We hear so much about ‘self love’ and ‘self care’, and there’s of course definitely a place for that. For not trying to pour from an empty cup. But I’m fairly certain Mother Teresa didn’t book herself a spa day when things were tough. I think she knelt and sought strength from the One who promises that in our weakness, He is strong. (2 Cor 12:10)

It’s been a tough week so far. Liam has been very poorly since Saturday. One child had a sickness bug all afternoon on Sunday. Another was sick everywhere in the middle of the night. On two different nights. Two other children have sore throats, temperatures and coughs. Little Lady M was making a big move to a new school this week, tricky for any child, even trickier when your early life makes change and loss very complicated. And I’ve tried. Tried to keep going, doing all the jobs, chasing the pesky rabbit, being hit by grumpy toddlers, deciding whose illness warrants a day off or not, checking on Liam, planning and buying food, riding the emotional turmoils of the children…the day in, day out stuff of life. I know that I can’t complain. There are people that I love in much more painful, longer term situations. But we all hit those weeks where the going gets tough. And how do I keep going? Keep loving? Not stressing at the children? Not getting frustrated with the illnesses? Holding my tongue when the weariness sets in?

On Sunday we were reminded in our church service about the Jesus who came from heaven to serve those who hated Him. He knelt and washed the feet of the friend who was about to betray Him to be killed. He who made the world, and had authority over the storms, chose to die for the sake of those who let Him down. He knew His friends weaknesses, their arguments, their pride, their laziness, their abandonment, but He loved them till the end. Where He chose to give His life to give them – to give us – life.

Yesterday I hit a tiredness wall. But when I stopped and acknowledged that I know I’m not loving well, that I’m being stretched and I’m failing, that was the moment help came.

Coffee helps, of course, but true strength and energy when my resources have run out doesn’t actually come from caffeine, or from sleep, or a candlelit bath (although I wouldn’t say no to any of those things). It comes from my weakness. From being wise enough to know I can’t do this alone, or perfectly. From loving my family enough to say sorry when I get it wrong. From being humble enough to ask for help and to accept it.

When I reached out, and told God I was starting to lose the plot, and told some friends I was exhausted, these were some of the encouragements that they sent me.

‘He tends His flock like shepherd, He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young.’ Isaiah 40:11

‘The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.’ Ex 34:6

‘But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.’ 2 Cor 4:7

‘But this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.’ Lam 3:21-23

I can’t do it all, and I will often fail. But I believe there is grace to keep loving, by turning to the One who loves perfectly, until the end.

*NB I realise Mother Teresa shouldn’t have an H in her name. It’s bugging me, but the coffee is gone so we’ll have to all live with the symbolic imperfection. xxx