Day 19: Jesus Gives Extra Rest to the Most Exhausted

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” MATTHEW 11:28–30

FOR LOTS OF PERSONAL reasons, a large part of this past year was very difficult and draining. In fact, there were multiple times when I felt like I was trudging through wet cement and could barely make any forward progress. Thankfully, I rarely found myself doubting God’s mercy. That’s the wonderful thing about having history with our Redeemer, because based on over five decades of walking/skipping/limping with Jesus, I’ve found Him to be especially present during painful seasons. However, I did question the strength and resilience of my own threadbare heart.

But God.

He lifted my head and set my feet on higher ground—literally and figuratively—while Missy and I were at a four-day retreat at the C Lazy U Ranch at the western edge of Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. Mind you, my “miracle” didn’t happen right away. First of all, we had to deal with a two-hour flight delay out of Nashville. Then our baggage was delayed in Denver, just long enough to cause our rental car reservation to get canceled. After waiting in a snail-paced line and conversing with a frazzled agent (I’d rather dig ditches than be a car rental agent), we finally left the airport in a very squeaky and leaky SUV with high miles four hours after we were supposed to be en route to the ranch. By the time we made the two-and-a-half-hour trek up a narrow alpine highway with more curves than a plus-sized model, both John Michael (my nephew) and Missy had altitude sickness. Which was exacerbated by the fact that we didn’t drink enough water on the tiresome journey because there were so few places to stop and tinkle! Anyway, by the time we rolled into the ranch we were emotionally dehydrated too.

Of course, the reception desk was closed, so we had to schlep our luggage down a dark, rock-strewn trail to our bunkroom. And the moment we opened the door, I sensed what little cheer was left in my wee family evaporate because it was a petite space, crammed with two towering bunk beds, a tiny bathroom, no place for luggage, and plenty of spiders. Since I was the only parent and aunt present, I quickly felt compelled to say something positive like: “This is going to be such a fun adventure, y’all—I haven’t slept on a bunk bed since I was in college!” But when I looked up from what I was doing to smile at Missy and John Michael, I whacked my head hard on the top bunk rail, resulting in a sizable goose egg. At which point, my inner Pollyanna bolted for greener pastures, and I mumbled something whiny along the lines of: “Why me, God?” You know that old adage: Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom before you can look up and see God? Well, I’ve resembled that remark a time or two!

My much-needed breakthrough happened on our last day at the ranch when Missy and I got to experience what they call the “jingle,” which is when their two hundred and some horses are let loose (no saddles or bridles or riders) to run free on thousands of wide-open acres at sunset each evening. One of the wranglers had encouraged us to hike to the other side of the river and tuck ourselves behind a big wagon where we could watch them race by mere feet away, so we literally felt the ground shake as they thundered past!

In those glorious, dust-filled moments, as I was holding my wide-eyed, horse-obsessed daughter close to me for safety, I sensed our Creator-Redeemer pulling me into His embrace in much the same way. Then, I could almost hear the affectionate chuckle rumbling in His chest when a pair of diminutive donkeys came trotting out well behind the magnificent herd. Which is when our kind King effectively winked at me, pointed at those wee beasts in last place, and said, “Honey, I’ve always had a soft spot for the scratch-and-dent bin.”

For those of you precious saints who feel like you’re at the end of the proverbial rope, may I encourage you with the reminder that the “knot” of Christ’s compassionate faithfulness is sufficient? Based on a half century with Jesus that has been littered with low moments, I can tell you that He’s never let my weary head slip below the surface of the waters I thought might drown me. He can easily tote the weight of our heaviest burdens and His are the safest arms in which to collapse. . . . I promise.

• WHEN’S THE last time you exhaled emotionally and put all your weight on Jesus?
• WHAT’S STOPPING YOU from doing that right now?