Rest for Our Hearts

 

As the time rapidly approaches when the trees will be in full bud to begin the cycle of Spring once again, the last of the old leaves find their way to the curb after a hard rain. With all the wind cleaning the branches of the trees, with all the mowing and blowing and raking and bagging, the old leaves just keep coming. They never seem to run out. From whence do they come?

As a boy, one of my favorite Fall activities was the burning of the leaves. Surrounded by trees of so many varieties, and living adjacent to a large area of woods, our yard would fill with leaves several times a season. We would rake them into the ditch that ran along our road and wait for a window of time with little wind. Then we would connect a hose to a spigot and drag it to the ditch. A few matches was all it took for the dry, brittle leaves to burst into flame. Then you stood watch, hose in hand, to keep the fire confined to the ditch. When I reached an age where I was trusted with this task, it seemed such the responsibility. I recall feeling no small bit of pressure.

As a pastor, I have the sacred opportunity to walk with people through tough times in their lives. Like last year’s leaves, troubles and sorrows just keep coming. There seems to be no end. We can bag and rake and deal with our leaves as best we can, but it can seem as if the wind continues to steadily blow more our way. It can be exhausting. It can be discouraging. It can be defeating.

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” The leaves will still blow into our lives. We may still feel as if we are raking as hard as we can to no avail. But Jesus is there. Jesus understands. In that we find some rest for our hearts and our minds. We find rest in the thought that we are not alone.

Peace.