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The Return on Your Empty

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4418910210_1d355fa6c9_z(photo credit)

Emotionally draining and physically spent would best describe my last two weeks.  The wave of relief I have when my head rests on my pillow at night cannot fully describe how empty I feel by the end of each day.

Some days I am spent.  There might not be one creative or inspiring muscle left in my body or brain to formulate a post for my blog, or a chapter in my new book.

The energy has been spent in other areas, and my writing is left calling my name  – with what seems to be no return.

When a call to write still resounds in my heart and I wake up to God-inspired thoughts to share, I know that this is a season of investment in other areas of my life.  It is not permanent.

And this is what God has proven so faithful to show me – There is a Return on our Empty.

“I am so empty and I have nothing left to give.”  A conversation with my husband this week.  His reply : “There is a community of lives you are investing in right here and your return will be in so many ways you may never see.”

Investment in people, lives, children, homeschooling and more is building relationships that build upon one another.  Calling upon one another because of the spark of investment that  I initiated or tying relationships together to build a better and stronger Kingdom work.

There are so many days that you might feel empty.  Completely drained of ambition, energy and creativity to write or invest in ONE more person, blog or relationship.

I am going to share what I now see God doing when I am empty – void of even the ounce of strength to smile or stand it seems.

He empties myself of me, and the places I have been filling with HIM overflow into other’s lives.  He uses my weakness for His glory while I cannot move more in my own strength.

While you are sitting with a friend at the hospital and her husband has little time on this earth  – you are empty, but you know you need to be there.  Just BE there.  Words do not always wax eloquent.  God fills in the gaps.

When you are hosting 50 people in your home for a homeschooling meeting and your little ones tug at your leg and want to be held, and a new momma is in tears with her struggle to stay sane at home with babies – Let God speak HIS words and let your empty vessel full of weakness BE His glory.

While you have writing deadlines, and blog submissions due, and your little ones are up all night with croup, your husband waits for you to spend time with him, and your blog sits empty…. invest in prayer for your blogging friends, write their names on your list and let your empty be your story. 

His power does NOT need our words.  This community should be a return on our empty.  His inspiration, His power and His community for the Kingdom work.  

I am empty, and I am humbly asking for added measures of strength as I have invested all that I have today into others.

But He is always on the throne and never left, and the return of our investments will be far greater than something done here and in our words.

When you are empty and beyond an ability to invest or create, do you feel the discouragement and weight of uselessness settle in?

Be filled with His strength and invest with promptings and leading.  It will never return void.

Written by September @ One September Day

Comments

  1. You have no idea -this was exactly the word I needed to hear this morning. Over lunch today I’m meeting with a young woman whose life is so messy that it exhausts me to think about it. I was just praying, “Lord, I don’t know how in the world I’m going to have anything to give to her.” Thank you soooo much for this encouragement.

    • Christy – I am praying for you today..It is sometimes all we need is a listening ear and an overflow of His word planted in our hearts and minds. May God give your friend a peace and straight path. Hugs. Thank you for sharing and encouraging here today.

    • Praying for you this day too my sweet and precious friend. May He give you added measures of strength right now. Love you.

    • Elisa – I cannot even put into words the blessing of God’s providential plan of introducing us. He will work to strengthen each of us when the other needs uplifting. To God be praised for this. Hugs this day my dear friend!

    • Katharine ,
      Months like these can be draining and days like today and can only prove that He is made perfect in our weakness. Bless you today my friend. 🙂

  5. Oh, this is perfect. I have been feeling this way for…maybe the past 10-11 months and have felt so guilty/confused about it, as if there is something more I should be doing to fix it. The writing calls on my heart continually, and inspiration flies in the middle of changing sheets, fixing dinner, picking up toys, but when I sit down at the end of the day, I’m so spent that it just isn’t there. I can’t bring myself to write just to fill a page. It must flow out, and most days I’m so empty that there’s not one drop left, much less a “flow”. Filling others, doing the same mundane things over and over for the sweet little ones, it often seems there is no return…but you are so right, it is an investment, and WILL reap a return, if I don’t give up. (Galatians 6:9)

    Thank you, I needed this encouragement today. God’s been stirring my heart again lately, but I need to maintain this perspective so that the empty days, weeks, months don’t confuse me into thinking His strength is absent in my weakness.

    And to return the favor…thanks for allowing your emptiness to fill others…ironically you are STILL doing that thing where you write to minister to the hearts of women, even though you feel completely unable…funny how God does exactly what we think is impossible. You are so precious. 🙂 hugs!!

    • Sweet friend Ashlie – Your words have been a continual blessing to me- even if they are not on a blog or in person. Messages and notes when the Lord prompts you have returned joy to me in hard moments. Thank YOU! Hugs!

  7. What I needed to hear this morning. I’m in a place of unexpected difficulty right now and struggling to write in this season. Feeling hopeless to press on but your post spoke straight to my heart…so for today I will have hope and I will press through with his strength. Thank you for sharing.

    • Keep pressing on Victoria. I have found that my writing is always an overflow, and even when I am not able to pen the words, being filled with His word will be enough and wash away my discouragement. I am so sorry about your struggles right now. I will be praying for you.

  8. September, I have just discovered your writing and cannot wait to meet you at Allume in October! The Lord led me right to your post today because I have felt so defeated in my writing. I am married with a 15 year old stepson, and I work full time, and I am trying to be the best wife and stepmom that I can be. It seems like there is never enough time for my writing, and your words put a light back into my heart and happy steps to my feet!! God is so AWESOME! <

    • Hi Lara! I am so looking forward to meeting you too! Praise the Lord we can share here and post even when we are empty and the return is His glory revealed. Hugs – See you in October!

  9. Reminds me how important it is to fill myself with Him so that when I am empty he is there to do what I can not.

    “He empties myself of me, and the places I have been filling with
    HIM overflow into other’s lives. He uses my weakness for His glory
    while I cannot move more in my own strength. “

    • Amen Stephanie! I was talking with my children about this today – the overflow – even when there isn’t any thing to do or say. Blessing my friend!

  10. God continues to amaze me. Your blog brought to mind the emptiness I’ve felt lately in the friendship with my roommate. We’re at different places with God and have felt that I have nothing left to offer. Frustrations with many things spoke about, yet go unresolved. He just reminded me to not be selfish and give of myself regardless of what transpires, that in what I do freely, His love will permeate. Thank you so much.

  11. I’m so glad that I took a minute out of my chaotic day to read this…because my mothering gas tank is on fumes!! Trinity has an ear infection & is miserable today, I have strep throat & am having to push through how badly I feel to take care of these children. My fuel is knowing that my husband will be home soon, and I can go to bed! I’m so thankful for God allowing me the opportunity to meet you, and all the other great mothers at Mom Heart Meet Ups. This blog is encouraging, and so I will “let my empty, be my story”. Thank You & God Bless!

    • Big deserving momma hug for you my friend! God is good – all the time. I am praying for you to find rest, healing, and a new perspective as the week continues. He is filling you up – breathe it in!

  12. I feel this SO MUCH right now. It is just crazy! By the end of my day- I come home at 10 pm exhausted, hungry, and probably not the most cheerful of wives. But I see two sides of the story. The one where I am depleted from doing God’s work, and the other where I am just another broken child in need of the same love and attention that I gave to everyone else all day. I personally can’t run on empty- but God knows that and continues to fill me up! Thank you for sharing your side of the story and I hope you can show yourself the same love that God has shown to those who are honored to know you!

    • Elle – What gracious and sweet words. Perfect timing. I am rested and thankful for His grace! Much love to you as you seek rest in a weary schedule. Keep abiding and He will give you the overflow. Thank you for posting today – I loved reading your words and “meeting” you.

  14. September, this is so good. What an amazing perspective on empty…Thank you for digging deep to find this beautiful flow in the midst of a seemingly dry season. Proof that your empty can be your story and it will not return void.

  16. This is beautiful. And it is encouraging. And it is so apparent that your heart, though feeling empty, is continually being filled – simply because it’s spilling out encouragement right here and right now. Thank you September!

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