In his excellent book, Guiding your family in a misguided world, Dr. Tony Evans tells of two monks walking through the countryside toward another village. As they came to the edge of a river, they saw an old woman sitting there, upset because there was no bridge. The first monk offered to carry her across, to the woman's great relief. So the two monks joined hands, lifted her between them and carried her across the river. When they got to the other side, they set her down, and she went on her way.

After they had walked another mile or two, the second monk began to complain. "Look at my clothes," he said. "They are filthy from carrying that woman across the river. And my back still hurts from lifting her. I can feel it getting stiff." The first monk just smiled and nodded his head.

A few minutes later, the second monk griped, "Why is it that you're not complaining about it, too? Doesn't your back hurt?"

"Of course not," the first monk replied. "You're still carrying the woman, but I set her down miles ago." To which monk do you relate?

Jesus invites us to Himself with these immortal words:

Matthew 11:28-29 – Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (NKJV)

Do you carry burdens that tire you out — burdens that deprive you of a welcomed, if not much needed rest?

Learning to set aside any resentment, bitterness, or complaints, and simply accepting Jesus' gracious invitation to find rest in Him is the best thing that you can do for yourself and for others!

Your restful soul will reveal its health in your smiles, in your demeanour, and in your days of the workweek.

Try this prayer: Lord Jesus, I accept Your invitation. I come to You and lay down all of my burdens at Your feet. Thank You for the refreshing rest that I find in You. I pray in Your name. Amen.

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About the author:

Karl Csaszar <csaszar1@nb.sympatico.ca>
New Maryland, New Brunswick, Canada
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