The Promised Land was so close they could taste it. But because of their sinfulness and disobedience, God didn’t allow them to just walk in and have it. He’d wanted that, but the people, disbelieving the God who had just taken them out of Egypt (10 plagues, anyone?) and across the Red Sea (on dry ground, mind you), grumbled and within a few days of their leader being out of sight, chose to create their own god, discarding the One who had already taken them so far.

Oh, how they would come to regret that golden calf. 40 years of rerouting in the desert. 40 years of fighting for every inch.

But even then, God did not leave his people. When they needed water, God had Moses strike a rock and what do you know? Water flowed.

When Amalek attacked, God was with Joshua and the Israelites in battle. So long as Moses held up his staff, the same one that had struck the rock and turned the Nile to blood, the army held the battle. But as soon as his arms began to fall, all Heavenly advantage was lost.

Thankfully, God did not send Moses to stand holding his staff alone. Hur and Aaron were with him. “Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.” (Exodus 17:12-13)

As we are in this new fight, I am exhausted. I feel like we are fighting for every inch. In some ways, this is harder than anything we have ever faced before, and that’s saying something.

Honestly though, I’m not as exhausted as I should be. I sat with a dear friend today and shared this story of Moses. I told him that right now, I’m not spending a ton of time in prayer or the Bible. I’m just trying to make it through the next thing, be it a surgery, holding my boy’s hand, talking to another doctor, grabbing something to eat, or checking on my other kids. Just one step at a time. The next right thing after the next right thing.

I told him that right now, I am taking my cues from Moses. I’m counting on my dear family and friends (and even strangers) to hold my arms up. He encouraged me to imitate Moses and sit and rest while those who love me hold up my arms.

This is where I’m living now. In a place where my arms are tired, but I am finding strength in each day by holding tightly to Jesus and counting on my friends to hold me up when my arms are just too tired.

I do not take this lightly. I am well aware of just how blessed we are in this. Typing that seems inadequate or a little trite, but I don’t know how else to say it. I am overwhelmed and humbled by the outpouring of support we are being gifted right now.

So thank you. Thank you for holding up this tired mom’s arms when all I want to do is collapse into a puddle. Collapse isn’t an option right now, so I humbly ask you to continue to pray for us. We are seeing the small and the big God Sightings, even here. Much love to you all.