Exchange The Yoke

When I had my daughter Holly, I knew that life would be different. Isn’t that normally the case when you have a child? You fully expect for life to add another layer of complexity, especially when you already have other children. But I never would have imagined that it would be a life full of extreme challenges. 

 
Having a child with autism takes a lot of work. For Holly, it shows in her behavior more than anything else. She has a difficult time controlling her emotions, so anything that upsets her becomes life-shattering. No day is easy, no outing in public is easy, nothing is easy. It takes a lot of energy to help keep her level-headed and teach her, at the same time, how to handle disappointments appropriately. Some days I just want to throw the towel in and say God, I’m done.  

 
But then I hear a gentle voice speaking “Give me your yoke.” And I just want to cry. Jesus is reminding me that He is fully capable of taking my burdens and carrying me through this. He promises in Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yolk upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (ESV)  

 
Oh, how I desperately need this rest. I need renewed energy and strength, daily. I know that He desires for me to depend fully on Him, and that He is taking me to the breaking point for me to see my weakness and realize He is the only one that can carry me through this. I think of Isaiah 40:29-31 “He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” God has purposes and goals that we cannot imagine, comprehend, or understand. Why was Holly formed this way? Why was I chosen to be her mom? What is her purpose in this life? I don’t know. I just know that God has a plan for it. So, when the days are long, and being mom has squeezed every drop of energy from me, there is only one place I can go for renewal. In my Father’s arms. 

 
Prayer: Heavenly Lord, Thank You for trusting me with Your baby girl, Holly. I know I am not perfect, and I know I can do better. Please forgive my impatience and irritation. Keep Your love flowing through me so I can pour it onto my children. Give me Your strength to get through these days. I cannot wait to see what You have planned for this family. In the name of Jesus, Your son, Amen.  

Action: Memorize Matthew 11:28-30. There is no burden too great for Jesus to handle. Part of renewal of strength is to wait and hope in the Lord. Waiting and hoping is not “inaction.” It shows that you trust Him and have complete confidence that He will work it out for good.