I’m what’s known in the Black community as “tender-headed.”
For as long as I can remember, combing and detangling my hair has been painful.
Wash days were filled with tears and yelps of agony as my poor mother tried to work through my thick, tangled hair.
The end result was always beautiful, but the process was rough—so much pulling, so much tension. I felt like I couldn’t take it another second!
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve felt that same kind of tension in other parts of life.
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Home responsibilities that pile up. So much cooking. So much cleaning. 🥴
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Work responsibilities.
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Being a wife and a mother.
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Trying to be a good friend who’s there for others.
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Tending to other goals and ambitions I have.
Sometimes, I feel pulled in every direction … and it hurts.
The constant demands and strain take me back to those days getting my hair washed and combed in my mother’s kitchen, anxiously waiting for the pressing comb to warm on the stove, wondering how much more pain I could take.
Have you ever felt that way? Like you can’t handle one more ounce of pressure?
In those moments, I lean on this truth:
“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
Points to Remember
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When I’m overwhelmed, I can come to Christ for rest.
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Christ carries the weight of my burdens, and it’s easy for Him to do.
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When I feel that painful pull, I’m not fully resting on Him as I should.
I’ll tell you the truth. Life is still crazy, and I’m still tender-headed. But as I stay centered on Christ, I find peace in the middle of it all.
Truth: Following Jesus isn’t a heavy burden when I cast my cares on Him.
Prayer: Lord, I bring everything that’s weighing on me to You. Please give me rest for my mind and spirit, and help me trust and depend on You fully so that I can experience Your peace.