Running on Empty

My lack of writing over the past couple of weeks tells at least part of the story: it's been hectic.

Two weeks ago I was at a conference, which was a fantastic opportunity for professional development and networking with colleagues. But there is preparation for being away from campus for several days. My students know, "Mulder never cancels class!--if I'm away, we meet online instead, or they have workdays for ongoing projects. And then there is the catching up once I'm back. (Email has become the bane of my existence.) As it happened, all of my classes had some sort of project or test scheduled for that same week as well. And of course, along with this pile of marking, it was also advising season, which means lots of extra meetings with advisees. I truly enjoy the work of advising students, but it's busy, and every situation is unique, which means individual planning, preparation, and problem-solving. And, in the midst of all of this, my dear aunt passed away, and so I was off and away for several days for a funeral, including hurried plans for online class meetings for the time I'd be away.

It's been hectic.

I'm tired.

Exhausted, really.

I'm running on empty.

But this morning, in passing, one of my colleagues stopped in my office door and said, "Psalm 71. Go read it."

So I did.

And this, this was a God-send for me. A startling, necessary reminder of who I am, and who God is, and how I can trust Him. Verse 14 particularly hit me today:

But as for me, I will always have hope;

I will praise you more and more.

I needed this reminder. I can always hope in Him. And because of this, I will always praise Him, and actually increase in praising Him. Makes me think of that old gospel song, "He's Never Failed Me Yet," which includes these lovely lines...

I will sing of God's mercy 

Every day, every hour 

He gives me power

I will sing and give thanks to Thee 

For all the dangers, toils and snares 

That He has brought me out

He is my God and I'll serve Him 

No matter what the test 

Trust and never doubt 

Jesus will surely bring you out 

He never failed me yet!

What a testimony: no matter how rough things are, God is for us, not against us!

If you too are running on empty, I encourage you to read this Psalm too. I hope it will fill up your tank in the same way it filled up mine today.