Come to me, all who are weary...

Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Matthew 11: 28

Several years ago our family experienced several changes and transitions in our lives.  We had just purchased several acres of land with some dear friends to create a small, country sub-division.  Our desire was to get settled into the school district where the sub-division was being developed, so we sold our home and moved into an apartment until we could begin building our future home.  It was also during this time that we started attending a new church.

Not only was I getting my children started in a new school and meeting new parents, but we were also attending a new church and meeting new believers.  This was a lot of change for someone who does not particularly like change. 

I also was feeling spiritually drained during this time.  My husband I and had volunteered as Sunday School Teachers and Youth Leaders and had poured our hearts…our lives into Youth Ministry for the past several years, but I realized that though this was something we loved, I had failed to pour into my own life.  I constantly was pouring into the lives of teens without taking time to fill myself up, so naturally I was feeling extremely empty.

During this transition period, I attended a Ladies Tea at our new church.  Though I was excited to fellowship with other sisters in Christ, I was nervous about stepping into these new surroundings and not knowing very many of the ladies.

The message shared that evening was extremely touching and tears streamed down my cheeks as a precious lady shared her testimony.  Though I did not know the lady very well that was sharing at that time, I realized she had went through a very difficult time in her life many years ago, and God was using her that evening to reach and touch the lives of ladies in that room.

Though I knew God was using her for such a time as this, I was wondering where God wanted me to serve at this time.  Did he want my husband and me to step back into Youth Ministry?  We still loved the teens and desired to speak into their lives?  Did He want us to step into another area of ministry?  And if so, why was I feeling so drained?  What did others expect from us?

I was continuing to ponder this when I got home.  The phone rang and Don told it was our pastor’s wife…and now, one of my dearest friends.  She didn’t call me to ask me to do something, to take on a new ministry…she only called to tell me that she loved me.  She just wanted to reach out to me and share her love for me.  Tears streamed down my cheeks as she shared words of love with me.

That’s exactly what I needed in that moment.  Not to step into a new area of ministry…not to take on a new job…but just to sense this precious lady’s love…God’s love.  I needed a season for God to pour into my life…to soak up more of Him before I moved forward.  I need a season to rest in Him.  I was so thankful for His expression of love through my dear friend that night!

Dear Heavenly Father…thank you for using this dear friend to be the tangible touch of Jesus Christ that night.  Thank you for your love and for loving me through others.  Thank you Lord, that when we are weary, we can come to you and you will give us rest.