I cannot breathe; if I do, I will cough- a lot and hard. I’ve been coughing so long that I may have discovered a new workout plan “Cough Your Way to Abs in 10 Days or Less.” OK, maybe not abs, but I have lost a little in my waistline. Weight loss aside, I hate being sick! My to-do list always grows when I’m down for the count, but I haven’t the energy to do anything about it. We’ve all been there. It’s a part of life that we would rather skip. Yet life has a way of slowing us down every once in a while.
If you are like me, you begin making lists of all of the things that are being neglected: wash the dishes, scrub the tub, organize the office, and plant the garden. I feel I have to get started, this is my only day off – only it wasn’t supposed to be, it’s a sick day because I can’t stop coughing long enough to function. I snuggled with my cat for a few minutes feeling discouraged as the day started slipping away and a verse from the book of Matthew popped into my head: “come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” I took out my Bible and found the verse, Matthew 11:28. I kept reading, verses 29 and 30: “take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
“Come to me, all you who are weary.” I sure am weary of this virus, so I found myself resting in God’s word. Instead of wasting the day, I spent time reading and talking to God. I started to think about where I am right now. I am blessed with loving and supportive family and friends, two jobs that help keep us afloat in our little house that is our work in progress. I get to talk to people all the time about my faith journey, and I am loved by a savior who offers forgiveness and rest when I don’t deserve either.
I did not cross anything off of my to-do list today, but I did something better. This virus that I have hated for the last week provided me with a chance to rest in Jesus today. I wasn’t working, cleaning, or planting, but the day wasn’t wasted, it was filled with peace and love that only Christ can offer. I found rest for my soul, as I sat here reading and praying on the couch.
We all grow weary every once in a while, we all need some time to rest, even when we don’t want to. So take a few moments. Rest in Christ, knowing that he is “gentle and humble in heart” his grace knows no bounds if you let him in. Rest, and may you find peace for your soul.
