As I was driving my 14 year old daughter to school I nearly struck a baby squirrel. Thankfully, a quick swerve left the little critter intact. It had been a month since the new school year began and I wanted to know how things were going for her. I wasn’t prepared to hear about her continued struggle with friendships. It is not that she doesn’t have any friends, but I sense that she longs for deeper friendships. In recent months she made a great new friend only to find out last month that she was moving. No one has filled that void. Although she is filled with joy and silly laughter, she is very sensitive, and therefore, easily hurt. As her mom, I hurt even more. I can identify with those same feelings because I had them too when I was younger. Someone else was always smarter, prettier, and more popular than me.
Thankfully, I now know what to do—take all these concerns and hurts to God in prayer. But does she do that? I wasn’t even half-way home when the emotions overwhelmingly took over and I began to cry. "Why are kids so cruel? Please God, bring her good, strong friendships. Above all, help her to see that she needs you as her best friend.”
Again my thoughts turned to my son. Two more days. “Oh, please Lord—help me to not make my kids my 'idol.' I know I must let them go even if it means they struggle a bit. I do believe you are with them and will protect them.” I felt my spirit begin to sink into despair. I couldn’t wait to get home. “I need to be with you, Lord. I need to hear from you. I want your perspective.”
In a few short minutes I arrived home. Instead of immediately sitting in my prayer chair to talk to God, I decided to check my e-mail. When I got online the headline caught my attention. “Young mother kills newborn babies.” Although I heard the faint whisper to not read the article, curiosity took over and I quickly pushed the button to open the screen so I could read the story. I wished I had heeded that soft voice. Not only did the 25 year old mother give birth to her newborn twins in the bathroom of her parent’s home, she proceeded to asphyxiate them as they began to cry. She didn’t want her parents to know she was pregnant, so she hid the pregnancy, gave birth to the babies, killed them, and then disposed of them in a laundry basket. Now she will be spending many years in prison for such a devastating crime. I was aghast with horror and began to weep profusely. “What on earth is wrong with this world? Why God, why? She could have given those babies up for adoption. So many infertile couples would have loved to raise them as their own.”I had enough. I am so grateful that I didn't chose to crawl into bed and become depressed, but instead I lit some candles, turned on worship music, and envisioned myself crawling into the lap of my heavenly Father. I was still crying but soon felt myself calm down. I talked to Him about all that concerned me. I prayed for my children, and I prayed for strength. I knew those little babies were with God, and that one day there would be no more tears, or heartache, or goodbyes. That brought me solace. As I continued to listen to the worship music it was as if a heavy cloud lifted off of me. I read my daily devotional and before long opened my Bible to soak in God’s Word. I can’t even remember when the “cloud of despair” was lifted from me, but it was. I had spent precious time with my Savior, and in His love and grace He blessed me with His peace. I have learned over the years that is precisely why we must come to the Lord often. Not just when we’re weary, but also when we’re busy, stressed, and need comfort and direction that only He can give. He never fails us. What a few moments in His presence can do is absolutely amazing.
Unfortunately, the world will continue to have its troubles. There will still be confusion, pain and heartache, but Jesus tells us to take heart for He has overcome the world. And you know what? I believe Him. Crawl into His lap and spend some solitary moments with Him, and before long all the cares of the world will drift away. He will take away your confusion, despair and sorrow, and infuse you with His power, His strength, and His perfect peace. And that is enough."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. " Matthew 11:28-30
"Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." Mark 6:31"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul." Psalm 23:1-3
"O Lord, you brought me up from the grave; you spared me from going down into the pit…weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." Psalm 30:3, 5
