Normal Times Two!

 I was remembering some "normal" things I used to do BC (before caregiving). There are lots of things I miss, like hiking, camping, and spontaneity. We talk about our new normal a lot now that we are caregivers, like the old normal went away. And in many ways, many parts of it are gone. But then my thoughts took a little different turn.

Sure, we have our new normal to figure out and deal with. But much of our old normal didn't go away at all. For example, I don't know about you, but I still have to work, pay bills, do laundry, shop, and bathe myself occasionally. (I do - really!)

It's like having a double normal, a normal times two. All the parts of the old normal that got to hang around in our new normal have been adapted and adjusted to the new normal, but they didn't go anywhere. No wonder we are tired! We are dealing with a double normal - normal times two!

Thinking about all that just made me more tired. Lol. But then, my mind went to Matthew 11:28. It's where Jesus made an open invitation. Come to Me, all who are weary (some translations say "who labor") and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 

Part of me was real excited. The other part wondered if He was really prepared for the double-loaded normals I deal with on the daily. So, I did a little word study to help my mind understand what my heart was rejoicing about. I looked up the Greek for some of the words in this verse, and this is what I found.

• Weary/Who Labor: Greek says, to feel fatigue; by implication, to work hard - labor  - toil be wearied. From a word meaning reduced strength, pain, trouble, and weariness. (Yup! That about covers it!)
• Heavy-laden: This Greek word means to load up like a vessel or an animal, to overburden with ceremony or spiritual anxiety. It's from a word that means something carried - like cargo on a ship.
• Rest: The Greek for "rest" could also mean to be exempt, repose, and refresh.

As I read the deeper meanings of these words, my heart jumped with joy. He gets it! In fact, in the preceding verse, Jesus says that all things had been handed over to Him from the Father. That means He distributes as He wills.

But think of this perspective. Jesus says that all things have been given to Him. He doesn't talk about passing out riches, gifts of the Spirit, love, peace, or anything else. He takes the narrative straight to the weary ones and offers hope of peace and rest for the soul. How cool is that?

Today, I'll remind myself that God is mindful of my situation and He is offering rest for my soul. I'll think about how I can package up some of the thoughts, weariness, and exhaustion and take it to Him so He can replace them with rest in Him. I love that He is so in tune with the weary soul! I'm sure I can trust Him for one more day. Will you join me?

Check out my latest release. Command Your Morning part 2. This 31-day devotional is the second one in my series Command Your Morning. (Yes, I already started on part 3 - and you're gonna love it!) Take a 31-day journey through Psalm 119 as you practice setting your intention to point your heart at God each day. It's available on Kindle and Print. Check it out!

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