Encourage the exhausted

I have always loved this passage from Isaiah 35 (NLT):

Hope for Restoration

1Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days.

The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses.

2Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy!

The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon, as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon.

There the LORD will display his glory,

the splendor of our God.

3With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands,

and encourage those who have weak knees.

4Say to those with fearful hearts,

“Be strong, and do not fear,

for your God is coming to destroy your enemies.

He is coming to save you.”

The version I usually read says, “Encourage the exhausted…”

Those words hit home to me today.

I landed in San Francisco after flying for over 14 hours from Melbourne earlier this morning.

I didn’t sleep much on this flight; perhaps I slept an hour or so at best. So while I left Australia on the 21st in the morning, I arrived in the US on the 21st (thanks to the magic of crossing the dateline).

Soon after going through customs and unchecking my bags before rechecking them and going through security again, I received word my flight to Portland has been delayed. So now I have a few more hours to wait here.

To be honest, I felt irritated at this arbitrary change in my schedule. I just want to get home and rest. I decided to use a bit of time to write a brief article since it’s a way to stay awake.

Perhaps you feel worn out too, for whatever reason.

The plane was delayed elsewhere, causing this delay in my connecting flight.

But the wheelchair assistance was provided by a good natured 70 year old man originally from Hong Kong.

He made the security protocol more fun and easier for this weary traveler. David has lived in the US for 50 years and finds working here at SFO a great way to get exercise! He said he would provide comic relief for me, and our laughter helped.

On the plane overnight, I worked on a chapter for my book. I spent time reflecting on the past three and a half weeks in Victoria with dear friends. My heart is full of gratitude. Reconnecting with Li and her husband, their young adult kids and her mom was such a joy.

I took plenty of pictures in Australia, so I may just share some favorites here.

I often pray before a flight for those I will share a row with. I sat next to an Aussie named Sam who shared with me more about the church in the Melbourne area. He has a deep love for God’s Word and he and his wife own an air conditioning company which is developing some more energy efficient cooling systems.

Sam’s love for God and his family was so evident. He recently attended the Keswick Convention in his region, which I was familiar with during my time in Hong Kong years ago. We had a good time talking about Jesus and some of the lives we have seen transformed by His love and grace over the years.

However, trying to sleep sitting upright on a long flight didn’t go as well this time. So I am fighting to stay awake as I sit and wait for my flight home. Once I land in Portland and collect my luggage, my friend will take me on the hour drive home. Hopefully we can get on our way before traffic worsens and slows us down more.

On the plane, I read some Psalms related to rest.

Here are a couple of screen shots. I love my Dwell Bible App. Sorry I am too sleepy to properly reference these.

Photos ©

My friend and I stayed on a farm in South Gippsland a few nights and explored that beautiful area. We took an amphibious boat on Wilson’s Prom.

The blue sea looked so beautiful.

Later in my trip, we stayed on a sheep farm in Johanna and came back to their home in the Melbourne area via the Great Ocean Road and a ferry.

This first picture below was at the Johanna Beach near the sheep farm. The Indian Ocean was just gorgeous with powerful waves.

After that first picture, I included several from the beach in Chelsea, which was a wonderful place to watch the sunsets and spend time in the mornings. This is on the bay south of Melbourne. Photos by Sue Kuenzi.

Saying goodbye to my friends in Melbourne was hard, but I felt so grateful for this very special time together.

God is so gracious, and since we met in our twenties when I taught overseas, reconnecting all these years later gave us time to reflect on all of the ways God has led and sustained us in the intervening years.

Father,

You know us so well. You understand when we feel worn out or weary.

I pray my next flight will leave on time (without additional delays). Thank you for my husband who is working at home as I write this. Thank you for his willingness for me to make this trip. I am eager to get home and hug my Sweetie.

I look forward to going to sleep tonight in my own bed!

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen