Tuesday, August 19, 2008

On a Yawn and a Prayer

Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. Psalm 55:22. (New Living Translation)

Exhaustion. It’s got my number. And, in stalker-like fashion it calls me throughout the day interrupting my playtime with my kids and leaving me unable to wash at least one of the seven loads of laundry strewn across the floor of my closet. There are food stains on my kitchen counters, my bathrooms have not been thoroughly cleaned in more than nine days, and I stopped The Professor from taking some left-over casserole for his lunch by asserting, "Hey, that's dinner for tonight!"

Delirium-inducing sleepiness relentlessly confronts me. Reminiscent of an angry football coach, its techniques are of the “in-your-face” variety. Knowing that sleep is a necessity to good health and that moving to a new state, with or without two small children, pumps energy out of one’s system faster than the Jugular drains blood; I’ve given into exhaustion’s demands.

I’ve gone to bed early, slept in, taken naps, and, obviously, slacked in the housework department. Still, my body yearns for my bed. I did get a slight emotional lift while talking to my dear friend Julie, who, by the way, writes this fantastic blog. While brainstorming together, we ruled out depression since my desire to participate is present.

Is it just the move or something physical? I’m not sure. If it continues, I’ll get some lab work done after our new insurance kicks in gear. What I do know is that the fatigue hounds me still today after increasing my water intake, taking additional vitamins, and getting some extra shut-eye.

I also know that my constant state of drowsiness is wearing on my soul. It has hindered my ability to write, which, for me, is also a time of worship and devotion to God. I’ve also been unable to read or participate in other activities I enjoy. And again, it’s not for lack of desire.

I long for more quiet time with the Lord to refresh my spirit and am fighting for that time as I write these words. It’s as if I am in a season of illness or drought, though not one of a serious nature. So I give my all, even though my all is very little. I pray in spurts and while doing the dishes, because as soon as I close my eyes, even when sitting, I doze off. Those of you, who know me personally, know this is highly uncharacteristic of me. I have honestly not been this tired since bringing home my newly born babes.

I find comfort in knowing that in this somewhat strange time in my life, the Lord is with me. His word is applicable to every situation I face, regardless the size of adversity or triumph. He knows what is going on inside my body and He promises rest to my spirit.

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah Psalm 62:5-8 (NIV).





31 comments:

Vixbil said...

I hope you feel more rested soon, I too am going through something very similar but it is a side effect of my anti depressants. It is so hard when all you want to do is sleep.
You are in my prayers
xx

MaryBeth said...

I hope you will find rest and feel your energy return soon! Moving is very tiring, but the last time I was as tired as you describe, I was in my first trimester of pregnacy with my triplets!! We were also moving at the time, and no, I didn't know it was triplets I was expecting. So could your extreme fatigue possibly be caused by something other than depression or moving?!?

Miranda said...

I'm so glad to know I'm not the only mom who hasn't cleaned the bathrooms in awhile! :) I truly hope and pray that you will be feeling better soon. It hits home to me when you say you are having a hard time writing - those are truly my toughest times as well. God is faithful, and He promises not to give you more than you can bear.

Amydeanne said...

boy i can relate to this.. thank-you.. in a weird way it's nice to know i'm not the only one who feels so exhausted these days... and the laundry.. ya... oh ya.. i can relate! lol

Beth Cotell said...

Any chance you are pregnant??

Or perhaps your iron is low?

I hope you start feeling like your old self again soon. Nothing worse than a tired Mommy!!

Genny said...

Angela,
I hope you feel better soon! You have certainly had a lot on your plate lately. I'll bet that has a lot to do with it. Get lots of rest...you deserve it.

Tea with Tiffany said...

I am sorry to know you are feeling so tired. Sounds like you are doing your best with the strength you have. Please don't beat yourself up. I trust when you are to move at a faster pace, you will. And if it's a health issue, I pray you find answers. Moving is hard, hard, hard on the body..


Hope to keep in touch.

Love,
Tiffany

Gretchen said...

Lord, I lift my sister Angela to you and lay her fatigue and somnolence on the throne. I pray that You, amazing, knowing, healing God, would strengthen and energize her for each day's needs. I pray You would give her rest and peace. In Jesus' precious name. Amen.

(((hugs)))

Dawn @ simply transparent said...

I really hope you come out of this haze soon as I know that it is a trying and tiring state to be in!

Maybe you need more liquid B~complex...or maybe it's your thyriods but a blood test will clarify this also!

Prayers for return engergentic health!

lori said...

Hey there...
I just had to stop by and VISIT the woman who gave me such an important statistic!:) 6 pounds of LIPSTICK in a lifetime....WOW!

How crazy is THAT??? I bet I've got even more than that running through my system....better make good use of it, huh??

It sounds like you are feeling a bit out of it...I'll keep you in my prayers...

Peace..and thanks for that nugget!;)
lori

Carol said...

Thanks for your sweet comment today. I am praying for you. Sometimes God sends us into hibernation to prepare us for the spring. He may be drawing you in to prepare you to bring forth some very large fruit.

Breanne said...

I am so sorry you feel like this. I hope you feel better soon. When I felt like that it was my thyroid. It was underactive. I take a lttle pill everyday and feel much better.

LauraLee Shaw said...

Oh my goodness, do I remember this feeling. Wow, I wish I couldn't written about it at the time. Very sluggish, very lethargic. For me, it was my thyroid. One other time, it was depression. But it could be any number of things, and the Lord already knows what it is. I'll pray He leads you to the answers you need, even if it's just one baby step at a time.

Dear Lord, please help Angela right now. I know this horrible horrible feeling, and even if I can't understand completely, You can. Comfort her, energize her, heal her in heart, soul, mind and strength. Prompt people to pray for her when she needs it most, and send her whatever help she needs. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Joy said...

Check your thyroid... or... take a pregnancy test if AF is late!!!

Hope everything is fine with you!

~Red Tin Heart~ said...

I so needed to read this dear heart. My soul is in anguish today over many things. And thank you for the comment you left over my post. Sincerely, Nita

Wendi@EveryDayMiracles said...

I'm so sorry to hear that you are feeling fatigued friend. :( It is hard as a wife, writer, and friend, but probably the most difficult as a mommy. That job doesn't stop so we can rest! We can't leave it to go home at the end of the day.
You are in my prayers. I really mean that!

Shannon said...

I hope that this exhaustion leaves you very soon. It sounds like it is extreme but I, too, become very sleepy when overwhelmed. Please continue to take good care of yourself! Lots of hugs and prayers.

Angela Nazworth said...

You all are precious. Thank you. I actually took a pregnancy test even though pregnancy would be very unlikely and the test is negative. I started some iron supplements tonight and some extra B-12 if my energy doesn't pick up within two weeks or gets worse, I'm definitely seeing my new PCP.

Joy Junktion said...

My best friend moved to Texas 4 weeks ago and is going through the same thing.
So much physical and emotional energy is sapped with a move like that.
I will be praying that God restores you energy quickly.
Blessings!

Jamie said...

Sorry to hear you're not feeling super. Get lots of rest and take care of yourself. Please keep us posted on how your feeling. I'll pray for you.

Kim said...

My prayers are with you my friend! Thanks for visiting my blog!! I hope you get a refreshed renewal like never before!
Kim

Unknown said...

hi! so sorry for getting back to you. thank you for dropping by my site and leaving comment. just like you, i have been lagging lately. lacking enthusiasm in almost everything that i do. they say it's hormonal. which happens to us every month. i can quite agree with it.looking forward to reading more of your stuff here. thanks!

Tales From the Eurovan said...

Hello Friend! It was so good to talk to you yesterday! Last night I was in the car and caught part of Focus on the Family. The story was about a man in ministry who had a complete exhaustion breakdown. Turned out, he eventually found a Dr. who had treated this before and it ended up being an issue of not enough seratonin (hope I'm spelling that right). It was really interesting. He kept stressing the fact that he had such extreme physical symptoms (couldn't read or watch tv because of lack of being able to process it, a disconnect with any emotion, stuff like that) Hope you feel better soon. Take care,
Julie

a Tonggu Momma said...

Praying that you find a renewed energy soon! There are lots of months I struggle with this, although - in my case - it's my thyroid swinging back and forth. Praying that God shows you more clearly what it going on, whether it be spiritual, emotional or physical. Hugs to you, my friend.

Amy said...

It could be you are just emotionally and physically drained. A move will do that to you. When we moved several years ago to another state my two children were little and I was so busy trying to get things in order. I was so tired every time I sat down I dozed off. Listen to your body. If it is telling you to rest..then rest. The house will keep, but who will take care of you if you keep pushing yourself beyond what your body is telling you. I am praying for you, and when the kids nap you should too.:) Blessings.

Joanne@ Blessed... said...

I can soooo relate! I told my husband just the other day that I thought I might be anemic.

But I think I'm just tired....geesh.

Natalie Witcher said...

I hope it's physical becuase that can be the easiest route to "fix"

You've had a lot going on. Give yourself time to settle.

Alana said...

I understand this feeling all too well. I went through a long stage like that this past winter. I don't know if you've ever been to a chiropractor, but for me that was the start of me feeling so much better. I also started taking B complex vitamins which I also believe helped. I'll pray for you. Give yourself some time to adjust to the move. It's big.

Unknown said...

I can so relate to this! Having moved across the country a couple years ago, I can tell you that it's totally normal for your body and soul to take a while to recover. Even excitement comes across to the body as stress, so the roller coaster of emotions that goes along with moving is very taxing on our bodies.

Working on letting your body renew, your spirit fill and seeking peace in all the wonderful ways I know you know how to do, will take you back to that place of renewed energy.

Hang in there.

Btw, I'm a horrible commenter, but I'm here now, finally and hope you know I adore your writing! It flows into my heart so effortlessly.

Lisa Spence said...

Praying you find rest!

Tracy said...

Hang in there sweet friend. You are in my prayers. Glad you're going to get checked out...

Blessings,
Tracy

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