Monday, September 23, 2013

Rest for the Weary

"Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your soul. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

Our lives seem to be filled with many burdens. Everywhere we turn we see the homeless, the hungry and the abused. We see broken marriages, broken bodies and broken spirits. We live in a broken world. It was broken long ago by sin. We weren't meant to live a burdensome life - that's sin's fault. Jesus wants our lives to be lived in peace and in communion with Him. He invites all the weary and burdened to come to Him and find rest (vs 28). He invites ALL who are weary and burdened. No matter the burden or what caused your weariness, He wants you to find rest in Him.

The rest that Jesus wants for us is not a temporary respite from our hectic lives. It is how He wants us to live our lives amid the busyness. This doesn't give us permission to kick up our feet and sit on the sidelines of life. There is work to be done! But it can be done with a restful spirit.

Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.

Come - the invitation
to me - God wants you
ALL - that includes you
who are weary and burdened - that's you again
and I - God
will give you rest - ahhh, sweet peace

Our physical body becomes weary from too much activity, or sleepless nights worrying, or maybe an illness. I have come to understand physical weariness in a way I never had BC (before cancer). Rest for the body requires us to break away from our activities and physically rest. The kind of rest God is offering to those who come to him is rest for the soul. That deep down release of anguish, confusion and fear. I hope this week you will allow yourself some time to rest in the Lord. He is waiting for you and He is wanting you to find peace in Him.


Peace in Him,

AmyLou


FUN FACT: I wrote this blog a week ago. My body was so weary than when I finished typing I laid my head on my desk rather than his the "publish" button.


P.S. If it is the Lord's will this post is part 1 of a short series.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

BRIGHT DAYS.

Monday was nine hours of grueling chemotherapy along with two painful allergic reactions. It was a long day and I was so happy to crawl into my own bed and relax. While the day was unpleasant and I know the next five to six days could be worse, there are also bright spots in my days.

The hours at the cancer center are filled with bright spots right there in the middle of all the unpleasantness. As i lay in my bed I reflect on those bright spots. Most of these pleasant memories are clad in scrubs and funky looking shoes. The nurses are compassionate, loving, and concerned. But best of all, they know that I don't take things too seriously, so they joke around with me. The laughs are not only helping me, but it helps them too.

I also have friends and family that brighten my days. Each in a different ways, but all just as bright.

This is not a fancy blog post as I'm still in bed. But I wanted to let everyone know how thankful I am that God has given me the gift of days and the gift of friends to share them with.

AmyLou