By Katy Mariotti

We Are Loved

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 English Standard Version

One of my least favorite chores is making the bed with new sheets. I don’t know what it is about it: maybe the fact that it requires physical energy, or that some parts of the mattress can’t be reached easily, or that it seems almost impossible to get the sheets straight enough. Probably a combination! But it’s one of those things that needs to be done. I’ve been extra tired recently, and I had to make the bed on a day when I was behind on all the housework that needed to be done.

As I started to make the bed who should show up but the cat. She LOVES when I make the bed. She tries to help by clawing at the sheets. And every time she lies in an inconvenient spot and I make the bed right over her (don’t worry, she finds her way out soon enough). This chore that I hate becomes mildly entertaining with her there. She distracts me from the things that bother me. Even though she is a very naughty cat, I count her as a blessing.

I think if we look around, we can find these little bits of joy all around. I can list them just in the past few days: listening to my young son sing musical theater songs, hearing my daughter read to him, showing my husband something funny on the internet, smelling rain outside, pink and yellow flowers showing up on my desk at work, even finding an outfit that I like. I believe God sends us these bits of joy because He loves us. In Matthew, Jesus promises to give us rest. He says:

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:29-30 ESV

Aren’t those little bits of joy like rest for our souls?  Let’s look for the joy today, and take heart in a God who loves us and gives us rest.

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado