Walking through pain and loss in life is something akin to walking in mud up to your knees. The mud around you makes your legs feel heavy, it is difficult to walk. You grow weary in the weight that seems to pull you down. Then, of course, it begins to rain. A drop here and a drop there. Some days it is a deluge. You're walking along in mud up to your knees and being pounded by the rain. You can barely see or move. You can't see anything around you, you feel completely alone, cold, and weary beyond words.
But ahead you can see relief: the sun is shining. There's a rainbow and dry ground. It's off in the distance but you can see it. But, still, you have to trudge through the mud in the rain to get there.
In the middle of the pain, you are tired and your spirit is heavy. You still have the day-to-day conflicts with friends and family to work through. You still have to care for your children and make sure they have what they need. Your job doesn't go away, and you're trying to keep your game face on as you get through each day. Your friends and family may scatter as they see you struggling, and they don't know what to do or say.
But even in the midst of all that, you are not alone. The sun is behind the rain clouds. There is firm ground under the mud. You may have to trudge through it but you don't have to do it alone. Jesus said:
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, NLT)
Look beside you. He is holding an umbrella. Your face is still wet from the rain and your tears, but He dries them off. The mud is still there, but He has His arm around you. You are not alone, you were never alone.
God has not promised that He will rescue us from the "mud" of life, but He is always with us. This is my reminder today as the rain falls. I'm tired but He is promising me "rest." He is teaching me to rely on Him.
