A few more words about rest...

It became even clearer to me today why we need a break from our usual routines. (Ever notice that the word routine contains the word 'rut' in it? I just realized that.) Breaking out of our day to day routine makes our brains work differently. Studies have shown that we actually continue to grow brain cells throughout our lives, so this is a good thing.
And where to find real rest? Matthew 11:28-30, where Jesus says, "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, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light." The rest He gives, I find, is not just physical rest from our labors, but rest from our struggles, and our worries and fears. Sometimes I think emotional and mental fatigue is worse than physical fatigue. I can be physically fatigued but emotionally and mentally rested. ( I think of my brother's and my nephews weddings, both of which I was physically tired but was very happy afterwards). If I'm emotionally and mentally rested the physical fatigue is much easier to handle. However, if I'm troubled in spirit, it weighs my body down and is much harder to endure. When my sister passed, I remember just being more tired than I've ever been in my life--the shock and grief were just so emotionally heavy that my body couldn't handle it. However, I did feel, through the church family and close relatives and friends, that the Lord cared, and was with us. How do people who don't know God handle the loss of a loved one? This is one more benefit to knowing the Lord--you're never alone in life! This is the rest Jesus gives--He'll carry our burdens for us if we let Him. And we need to stop picking them back up again! (I struggle with that one). I want His kind of rest, don't you?