Emptied out. What more can I give to fill the vastness of the voids around me? 

It was quite difficult to weather the recent harsh weather event. The uncertainty of what would happen next, the abrupt schedule changes, the travel risks, the shortage within the supply chain, the bitter cold, and the helplessness within the community weighed heavily on my heart. I found myself weeping for the children. Please God, don’t let them suffer. 

As mothers, we desire to meet the needs of those under our care. From the complete reliance of infancy to the emotional depths of teen turmoil there exists a myriad of acts of service, self-sacrifice, opportunities to grow, to love profoundly, and then times of complete exhaustion. As a child who suffered, I am deeply motivated to work diligently to ease the burden of others. I know the pain. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. What can a soul do in times like these?  

For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to bring to light the knowledge of the glory of God on the face of [Jesus] Christ. But we hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us (2 Cor 4:6-7).

Fill me, oh Lord, that I may be poured out. Everything that we have to give comes from God. The potter who crafted the vessel knew well the shape he was sculpting. The skills and traits needed to achieve an ultimate goal through our very existence were embedded in the clay from the start. The essence of who we are has never changed. It has just taken the exercise of usage to develop within us. 

I encourage you, dear mothers, to continue the course in sunshine and in rain. No matter the forecast, forge ahead toward brighter days. The highs and lows are inevitable on this journey. The chips on the edges and the stains on the exterior reflect how we’ve served our purpose to be earthen vessels. In the end, we will joyfully say we’ve been put to good use and weathered the storm.