“Renewing Rest”

Matthew 11: 28 “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

Summer’s here! Time for family BBQs, sending the kids to camp, beaches, road trips, long awaited vacations…at least it used to be. This year, the summer is unique. Kids have been home for the last few months, so the end of the school year might not feel special. Many people are still working from home and the line between work and home has become blurred. Some people are just going back to work so holidays are not in the schedule this year. Being together in groups is still not safe. We’ve had to adapt to new routines and new ways of shopping and working which has brought on new stresses.

I don’t know about you, but I can relate to the verse above from Matthew’s gospel. I do feel weary and burdened and I could use some rest; physical, emotional, and spiritual rest. Jesus valued rest. There were times when he would get away from the crowds following him and even his disciples for a time of prayer and renewal. I know this summer looks different for us, but I hope you will find time to just take a breath, listen to the birds, watch the clouds go by, read a good book, have an ice cream, and just let your heart and your mind rest.