Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
I suffered a life-threatening brain injury in 2010. My brain was damaged in such a way that it caused severe emotional, mental and physical symptoms. In and out of the hospital, unable to work or take care of myself, I was about as weary and burdened as a person could be. I was so despondent at times I prayed for God to take me home. I didn’t know how I would manage to hold on while I recovered, or what I would face once I healed. I was frightened, to say the least.
One warm summer morning, God urged me to get up out of bed and go out in my front yard and plant a flower garden.
“You sure that is what you want me to do God? I can hardly stand up for more than a few minutes!”I reminded him. But God was sure. He encouraged me to work in the garden every day. Over time, my front yard garden became a gathering place for my community. (My ministry of helping people who are in recovery was birthed in there.)
While planting and tending to the flowers, I had the time and the clear thinking to seek out my Lord and savior, Jesus Christ. I prayed often, telling him my troubles and my fears. I laid them at his feet, over and over and over again. I think God knew that I would find a deeper faith while gardening. What surprised me was I was so weak I needed to use a walker, yet I could manage to work the soil. It was as if God gave me the strength to do what He knew I needed to do in the front yard.
My garden now attracts others who are weary, and carry heavy burdens. I built a prayer tree where people can write their petitions to God, giving their troubles and fears over to him. There is a meditation area, and a fountain that serenades the weary soul. The garden is a place of peace, a place where you are invited and encouraged, to give your burdens to God.
You don’t have to plant a garden in order to go to God and give Him your troubles. You can do it right now, as you read these next few words. I encourage you to get down on your knees, and talk to God. Be open and honest. Don’t hold anything back. He knows what is in your heart, so share it all with him. Go to God in prayer as often as it takes today and tomorrow and always.
God took away my heavy burden and gave me rest. He will take your burdens and give you rest, too.
