Wherefore art thou, o energy?

Since I have reached a certain age, I cannot reveal that age; my energy seems limited. I don't have the energy I once had. Where it has gone, I have not discovered yet.

Not having enough energy does have its good side. One thing is that it is an excellent excuse for not doing something. For example, when my wife asks me to do something that I really don't want to do, I say, "My Dear, I just don't have the energy or I would do it."

I have discovered that the word "retired" is something I didn't understand before. It means that I am tired over and over and over again. How I long for those pre-tired days of long ago.

A little over a year ago, our great-granddaughter entered our lives. When that happened, the great-grandmother opened "Grandma's Playtime Center." Now, the great-granddaughter is at our home during the week while her parents are working.

Watching her running all day long it is a very tiring experience. I'm not sure where she gets all her energy but she seems never to run out. If only I could borrow some of her energy, it would be great.

Since she's been staying with us throughout the week, I've realized how truly tired I was. Every day is a new level of tirement for me. I'm beginning to believe that there is actually no end to this tirement cycle.

As a young kid, my parents made me go to bed early, and sleeping early was difficult. I sought ways to convince my parents to let me stay up longer. No matter when I went to bed, I still had energy that I hadn't used that day. Oh, if only I could tap into that energy today.

Now, as I am older and in that tirement cycle, I look for excuses to go to bed earlier.

Sitting in my chair, I will begin to fake a yawning session. Looking at me, my wife asks, "Are you ready for bed already?"

Looking at my watch and seeing that it's not even 9 o'clock, I respond by saying, "Oh, no not yet!"

"You will tell me when you're ready for bed, won't you?"

Occasionally, I will sneak a peek in her direction, and sometimes, I will see her eyes closed. I then say, "You're not asleep are you?"

She would quickly open her eyes, looks at me, and says, "No, I was just praying."

Finally, just before the clock hit 10 o'clock, she looked at me and said, "I think I'm ready for bed. I have to get up early tomorrow to take care of our great-granddaughter."

I'll respond by saying, "I'll join you when I find the energy to get up off of my chair."

Thinking about this the other day, I remembered a Bible verse. “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

Based on this, I have learned that waiting on God is the real secret to my daily energy. Like many people, I try to find my own energy and have failed many times. Only God can renew the strength I need to live each day for His glory.

Dr. James L. Snyder lives in Ocala, Fla., with the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. Telephone 1-352-216-3025, e-mail jamessnyder51@gmail.com, website www.jamessnyderministries.com.