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The days of monotony, of the same routine over and over and over again.
The days of chaos, where nothing is tied down and everything whips in a whirlwind around you.
The long days full of long hours, but never enough time.
The days of hard work, of aching muscles and aching mind and aching heart.
The days of bleary eyes blinking at too many pages, of weary hands wiping down too many tables, of crammed brains stuffing too many things inside.
The days that grate, rubbing you all the wrong ways until your fur stands on end and you know that one more scrape will set you off hissing at the world. Slowly wound tighter and tighter, the pressure builds by slight degrees and if today could be that exhale you're desperate for, it would be just in time.
These are the sandpaper days.
They are hard. Not in a fiery trial kind of way, when the world crashes down around your ears and you scream for help. No. These days, if doled out one at a time, would be quite bearable. But there are just so many of them, and in numbers they are strong. They stretch and pull and drain, and if you would be honest with yourself, you might admit to being weary in well doing.
I'm here to tell you "press on." I'm here to say that these days are shaping you, refining you, smoothing your rough grain. And they do not last forever. This is a season, and as all seasons do, it will pass.
I'm here to challenge you to embrace it. It may feel like hugging a cactus, but these days are meant to be utilized. If you give in to the weariness, you only lengthen the season. Decide. Decide you are going to learn what you can here, do the best that you can, and keep putting one foot in front of the other. If you don't, you may walk around and around this mountain countless times throughout your life and never get over it.
I know. Oh, I know you want nothing more than to collapse and not move for a week, but press on, dear heart.
When your strength fails, there is a Strong One from which to draw. A Steady One on which to lean. He is with you in the midst of your sandpaper days.
Thank you so much for this post! I've had many sandpaper days, and to be honest, am in the midst of them right now. This was very encouraging :)
ReplyDeleteNow. I should probably make an effort to introduce myself *cough, cough* My name's Mary, and I've been stalking...ahem, viewing...your blog ever since you started it. I actually happened to discover it through the guest post you did on Bryan Davis's blog a while back. For some reason, I never commented, but I am amending that now! I just want to say that I love your blog, and I was happy to discover that you gave it a new name the other day.
Expect to see more of this crazy person in the future! I will keep popping in with long, rambling, nonsensical comments as long as you keep blogging.
I think my last year (year and a half?) has consisted of many sandpaper days. I guess I wrote this as much for myself as for anyone reading it. So glad you found it encouraging. <3
DeleteAnd hello, officially! You have no idea how much your comment made me day! You've been reading ever since then? Wow. ^_^ (Heh, yes, I didn't really give my blog a name when I started... And then it started being referred to as "Adventure Awaits" because of my banner, so I thought, "Hey, why not?")
Thanks so very much for commenting and introducing yourself, Mary! :D I LOVE meeting new people in the blogosphere.
P.S. I totally remember you introducing yourself on Musings of an Elf. o.o (Fabulous blog, isn't it?)
Yes, I've been a very devoted reader of your blog :) It's so scrumptious and beautimous. Methinks I'm in love <3
DeleteNo problem! I always love to meet new people without actually having to *cough* go out and socialize. Hopefully I will terrorize--I mean, grace the blogging world with my presence before long.
Oh, you read that little thing? Yesh, well, at least you have a little sampling of how odd I am. A sneak preview, if you will. (And I concur; Musings of an Elf is just so wonderful. I can't even express my adoration for it.)
D'awww, you're so sweet! Thank you!
DeleteLOL, yes. Whenever you do choose to terrorize/grace the blogging world with your presence, let me know! I'm sure I'd love your blog, if you had one. ^_^
Join the club. I'm rather odd myself! (YES. SO MUCH YES.)
Such a timely post!
ReplyDeleteRight now I'd rather just go to bed (it's not even dinner yet). I'm done for the day, but there's still much to do. Thanks for reminding me that refinement, though tiring, is a good thing and God's tool.
Aw, I feel ya. :( And it's important to remember that we also need to give ourselves grace during these days. We don't always hold up beautifully under the pressure. (At least I don't.)
DeleteMay you be strengthened! ^_^
You always write these great inspirational posts, that never cease to make me smile.
ReplyDeleteThank you for that.
I'm so glad to bring a smile to your face. You're awesome.
DeleteA beautifully written post with just the message I needed to hear today. :)
ReplyDeleteAw, that's so good, Sarah. <3 Much love, dear! Keep on keepin' on.
DeleteThank you. This is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this. I've felt like I've had some of these lately. The days are filled with drudgery and a lot of waiting and it becomes a bit of a strain.
ReplyDeletestoritorigrace.blogspot.com
Those waiting rooms of life sometimes grate more than anything. I'm glad you found this encouraging!
DeleteOh, your words. They always so beautifully and clearly hit right at home. And timely! It's been a pretty stressful week and, really, a trying past few years if I'm honest. I need this reminder sometimes, remembering that even though it's hard, in the end it'll strengthen me. Grow me and shape me. I've actually already seen that, looking back on where I was a few years ago and where I am today. And, really, even though some days were really, really hard, I wouldn't change it if I could. They've helped me grow closer to God, which made it absolutely worth it.
ReplyDeleteI just adore this analogy. Sandpaper. It hurts, but it in the end it shines.
Thank you for always being a blessing and giving us such encouragement. I needed these words. Just beautiful! <333
You too? Honestly, the past year and a half has felt like a big sheet of sandpaper for me as well. But yes, looking back and seeing how far we've come, how much we've grown . . . that is so encouraging. <3
DeleteOne foot in front of the other, Christine! Hearing how you and so many other commenters are going through the same thing is super uplifting for ME, so we're all around blessed. ^_^
Totally just had one of those sandpaper days yesterday! Your words are so beautifully written and true. Though sometimes all I want to do is give up on pursuing what seems impossible challenges and goals, God always gives me an extra boost of strength and grace. Thank you so much for the encouragement and reminding me that I'm not alone! <3
ReplyDeleteIt's like manna in the desert, right? He gives us what we need for *today.* We don't need strength for tomorrow--just for today. And it's amazing to look back on a day we didn't know how to face, and see that He was carrying us through.
DeleteYou're so welcome, Allissa, and you're most definitely not alone. <3