When I was a little girl, I was stung in the head by a bee. It occurred on the day my mother designated as ‘hair washing day.’ My ponytails were undone, my once neatly sectioned parts were untidy, and I was pleasantly free from prim and proper to comfortably carefree. I was playing outside, with my wild hair, near a shed where my father and brothers were working, unaware of bees swarming above me. While carelessly skipping and dancing around in my imaginary world, I heard a buzzing near my head. Soon after, I felt the intense sting of a bee in the middle of my head. The pain sent me screaming and crying with arms flailing into the house, where I sought the safety of my mother. She tended to the sting and allowed me whatever time I needed to cry everything out – the physical pain, the embarrassment, and the ridicule from my brothers. I cried myself to sleep on the living room couch, not awakening until dinner time.

It’s difficult today to live a life unaware of our surroundings. What’s looming in our midst is no longer someone else’s problem. The struggles and complexities of our government, our health care system, our education system, our climate, and our relationship with God all pierce the daily realities of our families and communities intimately. Still, God allows us to find His grace in times of need, to include rest that carries us through the darkest hours. God carries us when we’re weak from the stings of life. We’re safe in His arms.

“Because we don’t have a high priest who can’t sympathize with our weaknesses but instead one who was tempted in every way that we are, except without sin. Finally, let’s draw near to the throne of favor with confidence so that we can receive mercy and find grace when we need help.”– Hebrews 4:15-16

“Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Put on my yoke, and learn from me. I’m gentle and humble. And you will find rest for yourselves. My yoke is easy to bear, and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30