It was early one Saturday morning, and my husband sent me with a long list to the local building supply store. My oldest son was supposed to accompany me, but he was dragging his feet and my patience was thin.
I soon realized that I was not up to the task! I had a never-ending list of materials: bags of sand, concrete mix, thinset, boxes of tiles, backer board, grout. As I loaded up the cart, I was straining to push my supplies through the store. Imagine my irritation when one of the employees offered this advice, "Let me give you a tip, once you start pushing the cart, don't stop."
I was close to tears when I finally made it out of the store, and realized I still had to load the supplies in the truck. My son had still not shown up, and I was mad at the world; frustrated and worn out!
A few weeks ago, this incident popped in my head while I was loading the dishwasher. I wondered why my husband thought I could handle that heavy load- he told me he expected me to ask for help! Why did I allow myself to to be burdened in that way? And then I thought about all the times I struggle with the weight of cares I am not meant to carry alone; when I fret and become anxious over problems that I have already asked God to take care of. If He does not act when and how I need Him to, I reclaim the burden I've handed over. I heard God say that He did not ask me to wear myself out pushing a load that was too much for me to bear; that He was waiting for me to call out to Him, to surrender... that He knew everything about carrying heavy burdens...
Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light. (Mt 11:28-30)
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