It had been one of THOSE weeks. You know, the ones where life hits in relentless, pounding waves. No matter how I tried, I couldn’t get my footing. Dirty laundry formed mountains around my house, my kitchen was a mess, my husband stepped on a spike used in Roman times nail at work, and my children were perfecting the art of getting on each other’s last nerve.
One morning between getting them off to school and getting ready for work, I crawled into my comfy chair, which was strategically angled so that I could look out the windows and ignore the messy house. I opened a devotional book and the first three words were a gift.
“Rest in me…”
Rest. The word brought verses to mind and comfort to my heart.
When I thought of Be still and know I am God. (Psalm 46:10), I heard “I’ve got this. You are not on your own here.”
The verse Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28) was like being lifted into strong arms.
I leaned my head back to bask in these words, to drink in the truth. And I fell asleep. Not a graceful dozing off, but a mouth wide open full-blown snooze.
It was exactly what I needed.
God knows we are living in a broken world where things are difficult. He knows we try to handle it on our own, and He gently reminds us that He hasn’t asked us to. We are just kids. We are His kids.
As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust. Psalm 103: 13-14
There are days when I feel my dustiness, my weakness, my need for rest.
God’s love for us includes compassion. His compassion is equal to His love.
He will have compassion according to the abundance of His steadfast love. Lamentations 3:32
He loves lavishly, and His compassion and comfort are lavish as well.