Cheryl Roland, CTTF Coordinator

March 4, 2011 we had a glorious memorial celebration for my mother who died suddenly from a stroke.  She was a Christian.  In fact in our last conversation, just days before her death, she urgently expressed her belief that Jesus was coming soon.  She was right.

My childhood memories and deep grief collided with the task at hand.  I must remain alone in my mother’s home until her estate was settled.  Being the executor of her will created unspeakable challenges as unsaved family members strongly expressed their desires.  However, bills had to be paid, paper work filed, her furniture auctioned and house sold.  Miraculously all of these things were accomplished within 40 days.

It was almost as though I was suspended in a supernatural body.  Every day I worked so hard, lifted heavy boxes, and moved mountains of stuff.  Every day I discovered new depths of love, joy, peace and patience for my family.  Every day Jesus extended an invitation to me, “Come … you are weary and burdened … I will give you rest.”  He went on to say, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  Praise the Lord, every day I received rest for my body, mind, and soul. When we are in the yoke with Him, He lightens our load and teaches us to trust, adjust and obey.

There is also a yoke that chokes, the yoke of slavery, as mentioned in Galatians 5:1.
In the past Satan has used the yoke of fear and self sufficiency to rob me of rest. Throughout this great trial, Jesus reminded me again and again that He had set me free from fear.  I was to stand firm in Him and not let myself be burdened again by a yoke of fear.

With the help of God’s powerful Holy Spirit and God’s Word, I stood strong. Psalms 91 was a daily delight.  When angry words were spewed at me, I rested in the shadow of the Almighty while God silenced the enemy.  His strong army of angels surrounded me so I did not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow by day.  It’s true, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and they are safe” Proverbs 18:10.  That’s perfect rest!