Jesus said to the crowd, “To what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.” At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, 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 souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
Some days we cry out and complain about all burdens and challenges in our lives. For us, it can also be an invitation. An invitation by God to see the one who is carrying our burdens and indeed carrying us. As a mother of three, all now beautiful and brilliant adults, I know what it means to carry another. It was a joy, a hopeful worry and a surprise to carry each of them, and I have been honored to do my part to help them grow and thrive. If we consider that Jesus' invitation to all of us who are weary and heavy laden - all of us that is - then we are being asked to accept rest, refreshment and renewal as gifts from the heart of God.
Wondrous Creator, source of our strength
you breathed on us and brought us to life
you set us on the path of our unique lives
and lift us up when we are falling down.
Lord, help us know you will find rest for our souls.
We fail to see you when we are overburdened
we try to carry the weight on our shoulders
we bend low with all that has overwhelmed us
and yet we fail to listen to your invitation.
Lord, help us know you will find rest for our souls.
Come to me all you are weary and burdened
you told the disciples and the motley crowd
we think that invitation is for other than ourselves
yet we need your healing from your heart.
Lord, help us know you will find rest for our souls.
Let us respond with a loud resounding yes
to your welcome and your renewal.
Lord, help us know you will find rest for our souls.
Let us admit to our need and our weakness
so we can know you as a loving companion.
Lord, help us know you will find rest for our souls.
Help us all to stand with others who are weary
and bring them to your heart of loving rest.
Lord, help us know you will find rest for our souls. Amen.
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