Day 7 of 31 Days of October – Roses Among The Thorns

I love sitting on the deck watching and listening as the rain comes in.

It takes me back 30 some yeas ago when I sat on the porch of my parents’ home and looked toward the hills where we could actually see the rain move toward us in grey-like shadows.  There is something restful about it.  Today it brings a pause in my activity.

I had planned some yard work and maybe cleaning out the garage.  But now, my plans change because of the rain.  So I rest from my labors of an already busy morning, and I sit and think.

An introvert by nature, I need quiet spaces in my life.   Some people thrive on sound and music and talking.  And I do enjoy those things also, but I long for a place of stillness sometime in my day, or at least somewhere in the week.

My Scripture this morning was in Matthew 11, with my focus especially on verses 28 through 30.

 “Come to me, all of you who are weary and over-burdened, and I will give you rest! Put on my yoke and learn from me. For I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  –J. B. Phillips translation

Perhaps Jesus was speaking about the burdensome list of laws and regulations that had been laid upon the Jewish people.  They must have been quite weary of trying to keep them all.  Jesus came to remove that weight in exchange for the lighter yoke of grace that He would provide through His own shed blood.  His yoke would draw a believer to walk side by side with Him, to follow His lead and go where He went.

I admit I am a bit weary today and it’s only a little past noon.  Some days are like that.  Days can stretch long and tiresome, not just for me but for so many people.  We can work from dawn to dusk at home or away.  We can weary our bodies and our minds.  We can burn both ends of the candle until there is nothing left of us.

My place of service for this season is going to be physically tiresome. I want to do it joyfully even when I am bone weary.  For certain I can rejoice in my labors knowing my load of guilt and sin have been lifted.  I can walk in the ease of Christ’s grace and redemption.

Just as summer has given way to fall It and fall will lead us to winter, the seasons of my life will change.  I can pray for strength, my daily bread for today.  I can expect new mercies each morning.  I can be assured of a shared yoke with my Savior.

And if I get a chance to pause, to sit and to think, I will grab hold of it and relish the moments.  Moments when God will refresh my heart and my soul for the rest of the day.

Will you join me on my October journey as I challenge myself to write for 31 days?  I’d love to have you come along.

For a list of the days of October, go here please.