Come Sit With Me

When I first got married, I felt less than. My brand new husband and I had just moved across several states so he could minister to the youth at a great church there. The women were friendly but it seemed the main topics of conversation were cooking and having babies. Looking back, I know that was not reality--they were very kind and fascinating women with varied interests. However, I feared being found out. I was self-conscious about being a wife. I couldn't cook much of anything and to be honest I didn't really have any desire to. My new husband didn't crave the dishes I had mastered--namely, macaroni and cheese (from the box) and ramen. I was even more self-conscious (downright fearful) of being a mother. I had so much maturing to do that I loathed the idea of ruining--I mean, raising--a child of my own.

I felt I had nothing to offer as a wife. I tried to keep house and cook dinner but I failed miserably. Months into our marriage, my husband finally said, "Can we just sit together? Why are you always working on something?" You see, he just wanted my company. He just wanted me. My perception of a good, godly wife was someone who cooks and cleans, shops for supplies, and serves in the church. The thought of my husband marrying me purely to just be with me had never crossed my mind.

When I surrendered my life to Christ as a teenager, my relationship with God began similarly. I needed to work constantly and tirelessly for Him. I volunteered for everything. I served in any and every ministry at church. I was wearing myself out . . . but I was doing it for God, to please Him. Or was I?

Matthew 11:28-30 invites us: "Then Jesus said, “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 at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Come sit with me, our Lord and Savior beckons. Enjoy some rest with Me. Just as my husband treasures my company, God Himself treasures my company. He sacrificed His life for me, for a relationship with me. I choose to lay my heavy burdens at His feet and take up His yoke instead.