“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30, ASV

Labor Day meant a long weekend.  Remember when that was a big treat?  Three days off from work!  Of course, that was before we retired, and life shifted into one long weekend.  Well, it looked that way, but something changed on the way into retirement.   We still volunteer. we care for our homes, and the biggie – we visit the doctor(s).  Each task takes us longer; each task is more tiring, physically we’re burdened with more aches and pains.   I should just speak for myself, but I’m old.   It’s a shame that retirement is wasted on those too old to fully enjoy it. 

Jesus words in Matthew are so pertinent here. Come all ye that are heavy laden.  Take my yoke.  My  yoke is easy.  I used to think that this verse was strange.  After all, if we’re already heavy laden and now Jesus tells us to take on another yoke, how is this a good thing?  After all, a farmer puts a yoke on his oxen so they can pull a heavy load.  But Jesus’ yoke is easy.  When we put on “his yoke” we give him control of our life.  He will lead and direct us.  His yoke is gentle, and he shares the burden with us.  What more could we ask than to have Jesus himself right beside us, pulling on the yoke with much more strength than we will ever have.   Your God who loves you with an unconditional love, will give you rest.

Judy