gregholmes
10-10-2006, 12:20 AM
Rest for the Weary
by Greg Holmes
We awoke to yet another rain drenched day. It seems like weeks since we've seen the blue sky, or needed to protect our eyes from the emanating light of the sun. Aliah's desire to play in the leaves was thwarted by the typhoon outside. I've not actually been in a typhoon, but it couldn't be worse than this, could it?
It's Saturday, and we're stuck inside the house, probably not a bad thing considering the fact that our schedule has kept us on the run for the past few weeks. Actually, the rain wasn't the only thing that kept us grounded today. Shortly into the dreary morning, she began showing signs of stomach flu, her first but certainly not final experience contracting what I'm sure can only be a school related ailment. For almost two hours, she snuggled up on my lap, drifting between tears of pain, and the peaceful contentment of restfulness.
I loved the fact that I could hold her and comfort her, but I hated the reality that I couldn’t do anything to ease her pain. I knew that within hours she would return to her youthful vitality; running, laughing, singing, and interacting with her little sister, but my words didn’t sooth the sting in her belly. Even the freedom from pain that she was experiencing the day before was now unimaginable to her.
On a good day, with a healthy outlook, and undisturbed physiology, it's easy to believe that everything will be alright, that the sun will shine again, and that we will have the strength and energy to run and play and do the things that make us happy. On a dark, rain soaked day, with an upset stomach, the bright hope and pain free life that we had once experienced and know that we will experience again is incomprehensible, even though the words are no less true.
Jesus said, "come unto me all who are weary...and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28 NIV) Much like I was doing as I sat on that couch, aware of the numerous other things I could be doing, I held her tiny body close, rubbed her back, ran my fingers through her hair, and wiped the tears from her cheeks.
She finally fell asleep and I continued to hold her tiny body until I knew that the movement wouldn't disturb her rest.
Whatever your need, whatever your struggle, whether today or tomorrow, cling to His word. Sit on your Father's lap, press your face to his chest, cry if you need to, but just rest in His arms. There you will find peace. There your strength will be renewed. There you'll feel the warmth of His hand gently rubbing your back, soothing your pain, drying your tears, giving you rest.
© 2006 by Greg Holmes. All Rights Reserved
by Greg Holmes
We awoke to yet another rain drenched day. It seems like weeks since we've seen the blue sky, or needed to protect our eyes from the emanating light of the sun. Aliah's desire to play in the leaves was thwarted by the typhoon outside. I've not actually been in a typhoon, but it couldn't be worse than this, could it?
It's Saturday, and we're stuck inside the house, probably not a bad thing considering the fact that our schedule has kept us on the run for the past few weeks. Actually, the rain wasn't the only thing that kept us grounded today. Shortly into the dreary morning, she began showing signs of stomach flu, her first but certainly not final experience contracting what I'm sure can only be a school related ailment. For almost two hours, she snuggled up on my lap, drifting between tears of pain, and the peaceful contentment of restfulness.
I loved the fact that I could hold her and comfort her, but I hated the reality that I couldn’t do anything to ease her pain. I knew that within hours she would return to her youthful vitality; running, laughing, singing, and interacting with her little sister, but my words didn’t sooth the sting in her belly. Even the freedom from pain that she was experiencing the day before was now unimaginable to her.
On a good day, with a healthy outlook, and undisturbed physiology, it's easy to believe that everything will be alright, that the sun will shine again, and that we will have the strength and energy to run and play and do the things that make us happy. On a dark, rain soaked day, with an upset stomach, the bright hope and pain free life that we had once experienced and know that we will experience again is incomprehensible, even though the words are no less true.
Jesus said, "come unto me all who are weary...and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28 NIV) Much like I was doing as I sat on that couch, aware of the numerous other things I could be doing, I held her tiny body close, rubbed her back, ran my fingers through her hair, and wiped the tears from her cheeks.
She finally fell asleep and I continued to hold her tiny body until I knew that the movement wouldn't disturb her rest.
Whatever your need, whatever your struggle, whether today or tomorrow, cling to His word. Sit on your Father's lap, press your face to his chest, cry if you need to, but just rest in His arms. There you will find peace. There your strength will be renewed. There you'll feel the warmth of His hand gently rubbing your back, soothing your pain, drying your tears, giving you rest.
© 2006 by Greg Holmes. All Rights Reserved