Weariness

By Jane Thornton  

As I strolled around my classroom recently, talking about the significance of the themes in Lord of the Flies, I noticed a disturbingly frequent occurrence. Mark, the occupant of the last seat in the row, had scooted his desk back a few feet so that he could prop his head against the wall. His eyes were firmly shut.

I glanced around. Katie’s face was hidden against her folded arms. John drooped against the whiteboard, unaware that his hair erased the day’s objectives from the chalkboard. Sarah slumped with chin tucked against her throat.

This speech was short; I hadn’t had time to bore them so thoroughly.

At lunch, in the teacher’s lounge, Will slid low in his seat and stretched out his legs—as close as one can get to laying down in a hard, plastic chair. Cheryl heaved a sigh and rested her cheek against the back of her hand, gathering the energy to open her vinyl lunchbox.

When I arrived home, although the sun shone high in the sky, my husband sprawled in the recliner. The newspaper over his face riffled with his snores.

Our world suffers from chronic weariness.

And usually we feel that church work just piles it on. I’m supposed to help hostess a wedding shower. I want to. I love the family. But, another responsibility jumps on the pile. I volunteered to help organize the church library because I love books and so many of them have encouraged me. But, another Saturday bites the dust. I need to update the database for those precious children who have said memory verses. They are adorable, and their zeal for memorizing God’s Word (and earning candy prizes) warms my heart. But, a computer session through the wee hours looms ahead.

Yet Jesus says his burden is light and we can find rest for our souls in Him. Somewhere I’m missing the lesson He’s trying to teach me. I need a reminder to claim His promise. I have read the words yoke and burden and must have skimmed over gentle, humble, light, and rest.
He promises peace in a world gasping for it.

Matthew 11:25-30
At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.”

"All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

"Come to me, all you 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 yoke is easy and my burden is light."

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