Finding Rest

God put this verse on my heart for a specific friend last night, but the more I prayed on it, the more I know He meant it for me as well..and maybe for you? In a world where we feel the expectation to “do it all” laid heavy on already bending shoulders, where the day to day of it all is more than enough and then we add just one more “yes” – we need rest. 

I’m weary. I’m mom weary, work weary, wife weary, housework weary, and every other form of weary you can imagine. I wake early, I go to bed late, I juggle – not balance – definitely juggle and pray that the important pieces don’t fall to the group too quickly or too often. 

Can I tell you something I’ve realized? This is not a problem to be solved by more sleep. 

Shocking, I know. 

Because trust me. I love sleep. So. Much. 

But more sleep plus continued burden is just better-rested burden, not full rest. In order to find the rest that God offers, we have to lay it all down. Empty our hands. Stop trying to hold on to one last piece, stop trying to rest at the foot of the cross with your arms weighed down with all the things you carry. 

Lay down your burdens.

One by one. Open your hands, offer them to Jesus and let Him carry them for you for a bit. His grace and mercy are enough. His Word is Living Water. Drink deeply. He promises to go before us, beside us, and come under us to shoulder the weight. And with open hands watch as He returns what you’ve laid at His feet,  not as a burden, but refined as a blessing – taken, shaped, transformed, carried by the One who loves us – loves you – so much that He sent Jesus to the cross.

Be filled by the Holy Spirit today. Take comfort in trusting God with what makes you weary. Rest.