I’d be lying if I said the last four months were easy. And my story is just a small story of all of the people who have had a rough time these last four months. People are losing their jobs and everything they worked for, people are losing connection between others while we are having to be socially distant, and some have even lost their loved ones. It’s been a big mess and I’m sure not what we had hoped for when it was January 1.
As the saying goes, hindsight is the best insight. And now, looking back, I can see a few things God has been teaching me, and maybe you too. In these last four months, I’ve had to social distance from people that I loved because either I was traveling, at the doctors, or coming back from an outreach. Probably in the last four months, there’s only been about 4 weeks where I’ve been able to hug people that I love. I didn’t realise how much I needed hugs until now.
A few months ago, while I was in the middle of one of my times of social distancing, I shared with someone I love on the phone that I wished I could hug someone. I’m still thinking about what she said next.
“Just rest your head on God’s shoulder and let His love fill you.”
At the time I probably was thinking about how that isn’t the same as an actual hug! But, looking back, it was the best advice anyone could give me. As there have been many months of unknown, I’ve had to truly think about what it means to rest my head on God’s shoulder.
Resting my head on God’s shoulder has looked like sleepless nights and listening to worship music and letting His peace fill the room.
It’s looked like many long walks while praying and letting His love take away my anxieties.
It’s looked like prayers through tears because of all of the unknown.
It’s looked like God giving me rest in a place where I can see Him clearly.
It’s looked a lot of different ways for me, but I’m thankful for the time with Him and that His love ultimately does fill us.
God is the best Father, and resting my head on His shoulder has been comforting in times of distress, home when nothing feels familiar, and the best place to be.
I’m not sure about other places, but in South Africa, we are still in lockdown, facing economic struggles, closed borders, and many unknowns. Personally, I’m not sure what the coming months look like but at least I know where I can rest my head.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11: 28-30
