Dog Days of Summer...

1. The hot, sultry period of summer between early July and early September.
2. A period of stagnation.

The phrase "Dog Days" conjures up the hottest, most sultry days of summer. Heat, humidity, withering grass, faded flowers...

The term "Dog Days" was coined by the ancient Romans, who called these days caniculares dies (days of the dogs) after Sirius (the "Dog Star"), the brightest star in the heavens besides the Sun.
Popularly believed to be an evil time "when the seas boiled, wine turned sour, dogs grew mad, and all creatures became languid, causing to man burning fevers, hysterics, and phrensies" - Brady’s Clavis Calendarium, 1813.

Well, I am not sure if I suffer from fevers, hysterics (ahem... don't listen to my husband) and phrensies... however, stagnation... that is a term I feel I have become familiar with. Lately I feel as if I have been wandering the desert, sort of a Spiritual Dog Days of Summer for me. Going through the motions, asking God for things rather than asking Him to fill me up! My plate has been full, my sandals dusty and my soul parched.

Last Thursday in the wee hours of the morning I felt the thick layer of dust begin be washed off by a Heavenly bath. It wasn't until that moment that I realized how tired I had become. How spiritually exhuasted I felt. Worrying about my husband while we walk the path of his father in law's illness these past few months as well as my own sadness over the nearness of losing a loved one. Worrying about the real estate market and the ups and downs of this year, getting up, going to work, taking a break from Bible study - it's summer after all, and I needed a break. (wonder who filled my head w/ that notion? - One guess) coming home, eating dinner, going to bed, and the cycle started all over again. Where was God? Right there... where was I? Obviously not there! I needed living water, I needed manna from heaven... I needed Him to fill me up... and I needed to ask! He was right there waiting, wondering why I have started walking a bit out of sync with Him. I was the one who didn't turn up for class. The candle wasn't burning so bright as I was burning out.

But then, in the dark of the early morning, He heard my cry... He soothed this parched spirit and gave me peace. I already had that Living Water... I have Jesus. I have my manna from Heaven - He has given me all I need. The roof over my head, food for my table, clothing for my body. He has given me His Word... my instruction book. Nothing can happen that the Lord and I can't handle together! This heart of mine overflowed...

Almighty God, You are what I need, my Oasis in this desert I walk in . As I stumbled on the sandy soil, You were there to lift me up. Oh how I love You for that. I thank You Father for the gift of Your Spirit. I thank You for showing me that I needed to ask you to feel me up as my tank was running on empty! I thank Him for pursuing me so I could realize I NEED YOU LORD! I am desperate for you... I am lost without you.

Amen