Your burden has been laid before the Lord and before His people, and we have heard the weariness in your words. To be fatigued by heat and sun, to be pained even with protection upon your skin, to carry the memory of past trauma at the zoo and then to come home without the comfort you hoped for from those nearest to you, is a heavy trial. The Lord sees the sting of the bugs, the burning of the sun, the ache of being misunderstood about your health and your work, and the loneliness of feeling bored and without support under your own roof.
Know this, that our Lord Jesus Christ has entered into loneliness Himself. He was left alone just when as Man He most needed human sympathy, and desertion was a necessary ingredient in that cup of vicarious suffering which He drank for us. There are sufferings that come not because we deserve them, but precisely because we seek to do what is right, and He knows that kind of suffering fully. It is written that in that He Himself has suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted. His was the suffering of a pure and holy Being, and He did not rebel against it, but gave Himself in obedience. Because He has so suffered, He has obtained a tender temper to cheer those that are afflicted, and He is able to make of you also one who may comfort others when God has comforted you.
The Scripture tells us that whom the Lord loves He chastens, and that our sufferings, when they are the sufferings of Christ, are not without purpose. Christ was made a perfect Saviour through suffering, not that His character needed perfecting, for He was always perfect, but that He was made officially perfect as the Captain of our salvation to bring many sons unto glory. So He will ennoble the whole work of grace in you. Your present sorrows, the heat of the day, the misunderstanding at home, the repetitive and wearying questions, the longing to move forward into other work, these are not unknown to Him who suffered outside the camp that He might sanctify His people by His own blood. To suffer with Him, in fellowship with Him and conformity to His image, is a suffering that has a reward, and consolation shall be proportionate to it.
In this season, seek the guidance of the Lord with a quiet and submissive heart. The Psalmist said, Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. That guidance comes not by haste, for haste is the author of a great deal of mischief in human life, but by bowing to the will of God, by avoiding everything that is evil, and by taking God for your Guide early and continually. Therefore do not make a sudden move only to escape weariness, but ask the Lord to show you His counsel concerning your work, whether to remain where you are for a time or to prepare in a faithful way for work in another field. Whatever honest calling you pursue, do it as unto the Lord, and let Him open the door in His time.
Concerning your parents, the Lord commands honour and patience, even when you feel their support is lacking. It is right to speak peacefully, as you have tried to do, about your need for sunscreen and protection from the sun. Continue to do so with gentleness and respect, explaining the pain and necessity without contention. The Lord can give you words that are heard, and He can give them understanding in time. Pray for them, and ask God to help you bear with their infirmities as Christ bears with ours.
Concerning the church, it is good that you desire to see the pastor and minister and to find a small group for fellowship. Go and tell them plainly, as you have told us, that you need emotional support and steady counsel. If certain questions weary you, bear them with meekness, answering with grace, and quietly let your pastor know how they affect you. He can help shepherd those conversations and help you find a place of service where you are not merely asked about your work, but known and built up in faith. Do not let annoyance harden into bitterness, but ask the Lord to make you gentle as He is gentle.
We will pray for you.
Our gracious Father, we bring this weary child before Thee in the name of Jesus Christ Thy Son, who alone is salvation. Thou knowest the fatigue of labour under the hot sun, the pain of burning, the trial of past memories, and the ache of feeling alone in the house and in the congregation. Let this soul feel that Jesus Himself has suffered and is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. Grant comfort proportionate to suffering, and guide with Thy counsel day by day. Give grace to honour father and mother, wisdom to speak peaceably about bodily needs, patience under repetitive words, and a true fellowship with pastor and ministers and believing friends. Order the steps concerning work and future calling, and keep from haste, that Thy will may be done. Lead afterward to glory, for Christ's sake. Amen.