ping pong germs and rest!

The house was quiet, as it should be at 1030 at night, the only light was that of the computer monitor that I was staring at. As I sat there looking at an excel sheet full of jumbled numbers barely able to keep my eyes open, I knew it was time to go to bed.

I crawled into my side of the bed, and no sooner did my head hit the pillow when I heard the grumbling of his tummy. It was loud and mid turn I heard his moan. I took in a deep sigh and went down stairs to get my hubby some water and a Tylenol.

Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

Oh Lord I need rest. You see my husband was the next victim in the ping pong of germs that the family has been tossing back and forth, in this game with never ending overtime. Someone told me that other day that I needed to rest. Driving home this morning, I had to ask the Lord what rest looked like in the middle of crazy.

Where does rest fit in with a schedule of kids, school, tball, ministry, sickness, heartache and burdens. In the middle of crisis of a friends marriage falling apart, waiting to see if grandma is going to heaven or decided to hang out a little longer here on earth. School, Tball practices, disciplining and well plain old parenting.

I think that we have this false expectation of what rest looks like. You know like sitting on a beach, in the sun with a good book, alone. Or perhaps, renting a movie, crawling into bed and not coming out after hours of vegging. ummm yea, nobody got time for that in this house.

But you know the "rest" that Jesus is talking about here in this passage isn't of a physical rest. It is one of a mental rest. Look I can retreat to the beach and have an afternoon of relaxing but the truth is the moment I get in the car, the crazy comes back. Jesus gives us an invitation to come to Him, to find that mental rest that only He can give.

He is essentially saying, look homie, come here.. give me what is heavy in your heart, and leave it here. Allow me to deal with it, let me take if off your shoulders for a moment. Give your mind a rest from thinking so much about it.

Not convinced yet..

Think of this from a parents perspective for a moment if you will. Your child wakes up crying with fever and walks into your room. What do you do? Send them back to the room with instructions how to take care of themselves? No way.

You see their need, feel their pain, calling to you, you medicate them, comfort them and lay with them. In that moment, mom never felt so better. You are taking their burden of being sick and allowing them to find the rest in your presence. If you an earthly mother, can be so loving and gracious, imagine the heavenly father.

Are you in the middle of crazy? Carrying burdens, even some that are not even yours? Would you accept the invitation that the Lord is giving you. Come into His presence so that He can help give you that rest? Are you tired of being tired?

I am praying with you and for you.. May you have rest tonight!!!

Love you,
Moni