"Worn"

(5-11-2013)

"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

Since the beginning of March, it seems like life has hit our family hard. March was my surgery and recovery. April was full of many trips back and forth to Rochester to visit my grandma, who's health began failing. May started off with my grandma's funeral followed by Matt facing several health issues that included a trip to the ER. We have faced family tension amidst all the stress, the normal challenges of raising a 3 year old, and the heartache of realizing that our dreams of adoption and another pregnancy are slipping away.  We have watched our bank account act like a revolving door due to the various health issues and the joys of home ownership. Dreams are fading. Goals are changing. Every day seems like a struggle to move forward.

Through it all, one song continuously runs through my head. It is called "Worn" by Tenth Avenue North (listen here.)The lyrics are as follows:

I’m Tired I’m worn
My heart is heavy
From the work it takes
To keep on breathing
I’ve made mistakes
I’ve let my hope fail
My soul feels crushed
By the weight of this world

And I know that you can give me rest
So I cry out with all that I have left

Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart
That’s frail and torn
I wanna know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that’s dead inside can be reborn
Cause I’m worn

I know I need to lift my eyes up
But I'm too weak
Life just won’t let up
And I know that you can give me rest
So I cry out with all that I have left

Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart
That’s frail and torn
I wanna know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that’s dead inside can be reborn
Cause I’m worn

My prayers are wearing thin
Yeah, I’m worn
Even before the day begins
Yeah, I’m worn
I’ve lost my will to fight
I’m worn
So, heaven come and flood my eyes

Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart
That’s frail and torn
I wanna know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that’s dead inside can be reborn
Cause all that’s dead inside will be reborn

Though I’m worn
Yeah I’m worn

I love how raw and pure this song is. Too often I think we try to mask our feelings and pretend that we are OK. The truth, however, is that often we are not OK and we need to be able to confess that to our Father so He can carry our burden and give us the rest we need instead of trying to be martyrs who do it all ourselves. 

I love Matthew 11:28-30 because it assures us that if we let Him, He will be the rest and comfort we need. I am so thankful for that because I know if it was up to me, I wouldn't have had the strength to make it through all we've been through and have yet to face. Thank you, Lord, for carrying my burdens and giving me rest.