Lovest Thou Me More Than These?

I'm too tired. I'm haven't eaten a real meal in days. I need more sleep. There are these people, see Lord... I was thinking about a job that my son was given to do. No one told him that he was the one who needed to do it. But he knew. We always know when it is the Lord. When God is the one calling and challenging us with a task. And it always seems to come when we are the least ready to perform it. When we are the most tired and worn down. I think the Lord does that by design. He waits until we are weak. I think He wants us to learn what we are made of. He already knows. And I think that He wants us to know that we need Him. When we are weak then we know that it's His strength. And so, I watch as God challenges my son. My preacher boy. When he's the most tired and hungry and discouraged. "Now what, boy?", I hear Him ask my son. "You have plenty of excuses that you could offer. Go ahead, look to the left and look to the right, just this one time. See those who are rested and with a full belly. Think to yourself they should be the ones to do this task. And they should. But they won't. What will you do, son? What will you do?" That challenge has a familiar ring to it. I've heard it myself many, many times. I already know the answer for me. And now it's time for my son to learn from what cloth he is cut. And then he hears the question that I've heard so many times before. "Lovest thou Me more than these?" "Do you love Me more than your need for sleep? More than your growling belly? More than you being discouraged because you've looked too long on the ways of others?" Oh, precious Lord, I love Thee more than all of these. More than food. More than sleep. More than the discouragement caused by others. I watch my son answer quietly. And I know that not another living soul notices. Just me and my sweet Father. And, oh, how He encourages my heart!

John 21:15 - “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.” And then I watch my son teach that same lesson to a bunch of kids. "Who cares if you're tired?", he tells them. "Who cares how much sleep you have gotten? God has given us a job to do. Deny yourself, get your shoes on, and get busy. Put God first." I was beginning to wonder if I'd ever write again. Please remember to pray for me. :)