Got Worries?

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

This past week, we needed to take our daughter to the doctor’s office. They needed her to have some blood drawn. As we are sitting in the waiting room, I can see she is nervous and anxious about having this procedure. Like most of us, she doesn’t like the thought of needles. So, she was sitting very close to me and holding my arm. At this point, I really don’t know who was more nervous her or me. Mike, on the other hand, is just sitting there checking email, sending texts, and remaining calm. (He’s better at handling these situations than I am.)

“Victoria?” When they called her name, we got up and walked to the cold, sterile room for her to have her blood drawn. The lady approached us with a smile and a warm greeting. That put me at ease but she still unnerved Victoria. It didn’t even help that there was an older lady in the office having the same procedure named Victoria. (I thought it was neat.) So, she told Victoria what she was about to do and how she could cooperate to make it easier. Well, as you can imagine, it didn’t help. Once she tightened the rubber band on her arm to secure a good vein, the drama began. Now she was breathing heavily, the tears were falling, and she was talking loudly. The only other time I have seen her in this state was the first time I laid her on the counter so she could get her hair washed. (That was a sight: It took 3 of us just to get her to lay down!) The ladies calm demeanor did nothing. Me struggling to find an iCarly video on youtube did nothing. Showing her the video did nothing. She was going to have to find a vein in the other arm. So, Daddy came on the scene.

She asked to sit in Daddy’s lap. At that moment, I could have sworn someone switched my child. She was calm. She was quiet. She was at peace. How did my husband do that? While I watched I knew God was showing me something…

How many times do I focus on the problem, the unfamiliar, and the challenging? I began to worry, panic and overreact-just like our Victoria. I don’t cooperate with Him. I struggle against His will. In those times, He invites me to “Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest.” When I come to Him and rest in Him, I can experience the peace that passes all understanding.

I am coming to climb on your lap, Father!