Heavy Burdens

My daughters, Abigail and Finley, love to carry their most prized possessions from their rooms to the living room, and back to their rooms again throughout the day. 

A few years ago, when Abigail was around four years old, she would work extremely hard to carry it all in one trip (her stuffed animals, and blankets, and whatever else she prized at the time). I would encourage her to take multiple trips, since she had a lot she was transferring, but she wouldn’t have it. She wanted to carry it all, and carry it she would, even if she was crying because the challenge was so great for her little arms. 

Well, my other daughter Finley, who was around three at the time, would do the same thing—bring all of her stuff to and fro. But while Abigail wanted to do it herself, Finley would enlist me for help. I remember one time in particular when I stood beside her as she handed me her items one at a time. Stuffy #1. Stuffy #2. Blanket. Backpack. Stuffy #3. My hands were full by the time I had it all. Then she proceeded to lift her empty hands up to me, as if to say, Okay, now take me too.

And friends. My heart in that moment. I thought of my girls and their different strategies. While Abigail was determined to do it herself, to the point of tears and frustration, Finley decided it was best to not only have me carry her stuff, but to carry her as well.

How often do we work tirelessly to carry all of our stuff—responsibilities, obligations, life’s burdens—to the point of exhaustion, frustration, and heartache? 

I pray that we would be like my younger daughter in this scenario and give God everything. This work responsibility. This pain I’m suffering. This anxiety over the unknown future. The fears. The pressures. The heartache. And then proceed to lift our hands to Him with a heart saying, Okay, Lord, now carry me too. 

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (1 Peter 5:7 NLT).

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30).

*I would like to make a little side-note here that Abigail didn’t do anything wrong. She was just a determined little girl. It’s just that the imagery of these two scenarios stirred up some spiritual thoughts.