God: Father, Son, Holy Spirit,

I’m kinda tired and weary, today. Tired of not seeing my kids and grandkids. Tired of the same walls around me all the time. Tired of trying to figure out technology. Tired of trying to come up with clever ways to reach people online. Tired of wondering how long we will do this. Tired of worrying about the impact on our family and friends and congregation, on our city, nation, and the world – not to mention our church. Just weary. I am so glad I can share my weariness with you, God. I’m so glad to have such a friend in Jesus that I can take even my smallest worries to you in prayer.

And yet, in the midst of that weariness, there is a gratitude that wells up inside me. Yes, it is about all the people who are working to keep us safe and healthy, all the leaders, all the first responders. But my gratitude has its basis in what you did for us on that one very special Friday, right about noon. In your incredible and amazing and sacrificial love, you chose to go to the cross for me, and for all those who you love so much. My own weariness is nothing compared to what yours must have been – up all night in prayer, your heart broken in anguish, betrayed and denied by your friends, harassed by us religious folks, abandoned by your countrymen, and ultimately tortured and killed. When I think of that moment, my own struggles fade into the background…

Thus might I hide my blushing face
  While His dear cross appears
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
  And melt mine eyes to tears. 

But drops of grief can ne’er repay
  The debt of love I owe;
Here Lord, I give myself away:
  ‘Tis all that I can do. Isaac Watts (1674-1748)