Rest

"If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light." 
~Matthew 11:28-30 (Contemporary English Version)

Boxes packed up with our earthly belongings can be heavy or light. Burdens can be the same ~ some issues and problems seem resolvable; while others are perpetual What do boxes and burdens have in common? They both create a deep need for Rest.

We are in the process of unpacking boxes from our recent move to a new home. I unpack all the boxes my husband deposits in the kitchen and feel a sense of accomplishment. However, that feeling of accomplishment soon starts to fade when he brings a fresh batch of boxes inside.

Problems in our relationships can feel the same way. We begin to feel as though we are making real headway with the tools and resources our counselor gives us. Then, we hit a bump in the road or perhaps veer off into an unexpected new valley.

What can we do? We can stop and Rest. I can make a conscious decision to stop unpacking boxes when it is dinner time. After dinner I can take a walk with my husband and dogs. I can read a book I have been restarting throughout our move, and focus on the words. Or, I may decide to go to bed early and begin again tomorrow.

We can employ similar strategies with our relationship burdens. We can make an intentional effort to focus on the good, and recognize the steps forward we have taken. We can decide to take a “holiday” or break from talking about the issue and instead do something fun together. We may choose to remain silent when it would be so much easier to offer a comeback comment or a joke with an edge.

Boxes and Burdens ~ heavy or light ~ both require Rest.