Gloriously Exhausted

Gloriously exhausted is something I heard Lisa Harper say when she shared a story of her friend. She said her friend had used this line when they met one time for coffee as she plopped into the chair, mismatched socks and just tired from all the things she had done that morning. I have loved it ever since! I don't want to arrive at heaven with well manicured nails, hair in pristine condition and not a wrinkle in my clothes. I want to arrive with dirt under my nails, sweat on my brow and joy in my heart.

I think, though, that I can easily fall into a trap of "doing" if I only think about this on surface levels.

This morning as I listened to a podcast, the discussion was along this line and it got me thinking about the difference between what makes me tired and what makes me gloriously exhausted. I don't want to be tired! Good grief, that just causes baggy eyes, tired muscles and achy body. Those are the qualities I am looking to have when I enter Glory.

So what makes me gloriously exhausted?

1. Loving People

Listen ya'll. Loving people is no easy task! It's downright hard and messy. It can be physically taxing and it is most certainly emotionally burdensome at times. Loving people is time consuming and requires a whole lot of grace. Loving people is also one of the things God says is non-negotiable and what can change things.

But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 1 John 4:8

Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8

2. Serving Others

Should come as no surprise to anyone who knows anything about love languages or the Enneagram that I feel love and give love through acts of service. As nice as it is to hear, "I love you" from my friends and family, the fact that they take time to meet a need or share a moment, is huge in my book. If I came home from the office or a trip to find dishes done, floors swept and laundry put away I would have all the warm fuzzies! I know that not everyone receives love that way and I try to be sensitive to that, however, I am being loving and at my best when I am serving.

3. Breakaway and Momentum

Oh. My. Goodness.

Being able to serve at these two youth events that the Illinois District hosts is THE highlight for me! At the end of a week of camp I am so worn out and also flying on the highest high! This is the epitome of glorious exhaustion and as long as I will be allowed I will make myself available to stay up super late, get up really early, have hard conversations, and pray with students and leaders.

4. Family Vacations

Alright. That may seem a bit odd but anyone with kids who has taken a big, or small really, vacation knows how absolutely hard and amazingly fun it can be. I feel it is probably safe for me to say that at the end of family vacations most parents are ready for a vacation! But truly, isn't it worth it all? Memories, bonding, stories, and experiences out of the norm make for solid and committed families.

Like I said, I don't care how pretty I am when I arrive in the physical presence of Jesus. I care about hearing, "Well done. You ran the race and were obedient to the call I placed on you. You didn't shy away when it got hard and you really knew how to celebrate when things went right. Your light shined brightly and your heart loved deeply."

So to all of you feeling like you are just too tired to go another step further, be sure that at the end of the day, that exhaustion is worth it. Let's all determine today to settle for nothing less than gloriously exhausted.