“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28)

I learned an important lesson last week.

Two years ago, I got aboard God’s train. My path had led me down into the valley of cancer, and I knew there was no way in the world I would ever come out on my own. God gave me the analogy of His train then, and I came aboard, giving Him every piece of the journey. Is anyone surprised that He brought me through whole, healthy, happy, and even more in love with Him than ever?

Over the past two years, I have remembered God’s train and have tried to stay aboard; but it isn’t a habit for me. I’m far too used to being in control. Besides, wouldn’t such a wonderful thing only be available for big, life-threatening things like cancer? Do I really need to bother God with my surcharged caseload at work? With my sleeping problems? With my…sore shoulder???

I struggled with this as I made the journey to find a good orthopaedic surgeon, I struggled through my first visit, through the cortisone injections, and especially as my surgery date approached. I even considered canceling the surgery, because I wasn’t sure I could do it alone, and I wasn’t sure I should “bother” God with it.

After prayer and some much-needed advice from my loving husband and – well, just about everyone! – I decided to go ahead. I gave it completely to God, I got onboard God’s train for my shoulder, surrendering every part to Him, just like I did with cancer. And He came through. My surgery day last week was filled with peace. My thoughts were open to God, I knew He was there, carrying me through, especially when my normal impatience didn’t kick in when my surgery was delayed by 2 hours. I even gave God my fear of anaesthesia and the stomach upset that always accompanies it, and I floated all day on His peace.

And what did God do? My 2 hour surgery was only 45 minutes, and I awoke without disorientation and absolutely “0” stomach upset. The pain was even minimal, and I didn’t need hydromorph in the recovery room. The surgeon said the surgery was a “big success”, my arm is not immobilized, and he doesn’t want me to go back to work until at least the second week of January.

So what did I learn?

Simply this: There is no valley in life that God’s train will not go through, even the valleys of elective surgery. My resolve for 2015 is to not just “get” aboard God’s train, but to “stay” onboard, no matter what valleys life throws my way. Doesn’t Jesus invite us to: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28)?

What does this have to do with each of you? Just this: God’s train runs through every valley that life will throw your way. Get on board, not just for your current problems, but for every problem that comes your way this week and into the new year. When you do, your year will be filled with peace, and your trip through life’s valleys will be like a drive through the countryside on a balmy summer day.

Lyn Chaffart , Mother of two teens, Author and Moderator for The Nugget, a tri-weekly internet newsletter, and Scriptural Nuggets, a website devoted to Christian devotionals and inspirational poems, Scriptural Nuggets , with Answers2Prayer Ministries.