renew

"but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles;  they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."  (Isaiah 40:31  ESV)

Renew?  What do you think of?  A library book?  An insurance policy?  A membership with/for something?  Maybe even a friendship when you haven't seen each other in a while?  Or vows made -- wedding or baptism come to mind.... 

When I am tired, under stress, trying to figure things out I go "back" to my friend Isaiah.  This time the verse is referring to strength.  We don't know if it is mental, physical or emotional strength but God is promising to renew it.  As I am slowly regaining strength one of my favorite pastimes is to sit with praise music, my needlework and watch the birds out my window.  No, there are no eagles, at this time, but there are LOT of birds (our neighbor has bird feeders) to watch from small sparrows to woodpeckers to pigeons.  I can watch them "mount up" and take off.

Thankfully there is not "running" but strength means "not be weary" AND I can walk without being "faint."  Yes, it is taking a while.  Yes, I wish it went faster.  At the same time I can "praise You anywhere" (the song playing right now) because God's strength IS with me.  Something to think about......