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We are so happy to share with you our friend Mary. You can find out a little more of her story at the end of the post.

Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, 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 yolk is easy and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

For those of us who struggle with the responsibilities of daily life, this verse can seem a downright lie. Or an unachievable goal!

Just out of reach as another thing, another situation gobbles up our time and energy.

When my husband Mike was diagnosed with acute leukemia, we glibly said it was a “win-win” situation. Either the Lord would heal him or he would get to go home to Jesus. In hindsight, I think we believed “healing” would be a piece of cake with modern medicine or a miracle.

We were wrong.

We never anticipated the fight cancer would put up. The in-hospital chemo that stole our holidays and wore us both out was successful. A reverse chromosome required a stem cell transplant to keep him in remission. No match in the family caused a nationwide search through the stem cell registry but took months. In the meantime, the medicines were changed often because of the toll it was taking on him or if his body downright rejected them. As we fought, it did not feel at all like an “easy yolk.”

The stem cell transplant was successful but host vs graft disease set in and robbed him a little at a time. As I ran around, trying to care for him, and keep the household running, and work when I could so we had some income, I did not take the time to “come” to the One Who offered respite. And when sepsis finally took him after fighting a year, “rest for my soul” seemed impossible.

But the lie comes from our enemy, not our Lord.

It’s our own perceptions and our own mindsets that keep us focused on the wrong thing. It’s human! This promise is true but requires action on our part.

“Come” and “Take” are action verbs. It comes down to choice. Often that free will would rather wallow in the familiar pain than take the necessary steps to change. I eventually got tired of trying to carry the burden of widowhood on my own.

Being strong and independent was not bringing me any rest.

With the help of a life coach, I took the time to re-examine the very foundation of my faith-the love of Christ. And by pursuing that love, the truth of the verse surfaced.

In repentance, I went to the open arms of Jesus and chose to exchange my burdens for His.

The desire to learn from Him makes the Bible come alive. And when I am weary, I know where to go to get rest.

When we choose to “come” and “take”, we choose the better. And His promise is that He will always be there to meet us to make that blessed exchange.

Dear Lord-sometimes the burden is so heavy I can barely breathe. But I don’t want to carry anything I am not supposed to because that gives strength to my enemy. I choose today to come to You and exchange my heaviness for Your light. I willingly take on Your easy yolk for my walk this day. Thank You, Jesus, for Your promise of blessed rest for my soul. May I always remember that I can come and make this exchange at any time because You love me! In Jesus’ name Amen.