His broad shoulders are already there
I tend to try to carry a load that wasn’t meant for me.
When a friend is hurting, I do more than just hurt with her: I try to carry the weight she’s carrying, instead of just carrying it all to my Lord in prayer.
Or as I’m carrying her to Jesus on my knees, I forget that He is able to take the whole load I’m carrying to Him. My knees ache, my shoulders are bent—under weight that is not mine to carry, only mine to give to Jesus.
It’s the friend who’s over-due with her first child. It’s the friend who’s due with twin girls.
It’s a shirt-tail cousin, whose dad just took his own life.
It’s the mom in Alaska who will wake up from a medically induced coma to find that her 4-year-old boy died in that plane crash, that her husband is in a coma along with her, and that their 2-year-old was also injured. (From the same small community in Alaska that was rocked by a similar tragedy just a few years ago.)
It’s the weather—and the weather forecast—that is anything but the sunshine we need on our farm right now.
It’s the beginning of a long, busy summer—with too many tasks, too few hands.
It’s my messy house, my unfolded laundry, my little girl who can’t or won’t understand about keeping her toys picked up.
It’s countless other cares and worries for friends and loved ones.
But then, a friend writes about praying for the impossible.
Another farmer’s wife writes about messy houses and impossible weather reports.
Another post about about it being God’s will for me to thank Him comes back to haunt me.
And a little chorus we sing at church—straight from the words of Jesus—comes unbidden to my lips:
My peace I give unto you
It’s a peace that the world cannot give
It’s a peace that the world cannot understand
Peace to know, peace to live
My peace I give unto you.copyright 1963, Fred Bock Music Co.
words and music by Pauline M. Mills
And then I remember: My Jesus has broad shoulders.
Now it’s true that I’ve still got some troubles
but since Jesus and I had our talk
I found peace of mind and contentment…And no matter what happens tomorrow
if I need Him I know He’ll be theresung by the Wilburn Brothers
And each of those places, those heartaches?
He’s already there, bearing the load I was never meant to carry.
And when I turn the load over to Him, He gives a peace that passes all understanding.
Your post was exactly what I’ve needed …so many sorrows. Mainly struggles for those I love in the area of children (complications and losses). And it has been such a burden I’ve carried.
Today more sad news of the passing away of one dear elderly lady. Seems like a “time of mourning” is upon us. But I lean on His strength and know He cares and hears our prayers.
Praying for all those burdens! I am SO thankful that Ash made that flight; Praise the Lord for that!!
Praying for Skye and her babies!
I’ve had a lot of sorrows on my heart this week; death, hurt, pain and illness and difficult situations all around me with the people I love and care for.
Thank you for the reminder to bring it all to Jesus and let Him carry the burden.
I’m sorry to hear you’ve had one of those weeks, too, Samantha. But glad you can carry them to Jesus.
so thankful the marine family made it to see their hero in Germany!
still praying for the others…
and praying, like you said, that GOD will help me give Him the burdens that weigh me down. Especially those that i can’t possibly control! there’s just no point…what’s the verse in Phil.4…ah Phil. 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to GOD. and vs7(as you mentioned) And the peace of GOD, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
love you, gret, thanks for the reminder!
Praying for you, friend. Miss you. HUGS
Thanks for all the prayers, Gret! A few weeks ago, when overwhelmed by the thought that the girls could come any day, God put the the words from Psalm 31 in my heart: “My times are in Thy hands…” which, now that I think about it, has proved to be a reminder and way of relieving me from the burden. I don’t have to worry… He knows the exact day and time.
Doesn’t mean I’m not eagerly waiting, though! 🙂
Yes, we’re all eagerly waiting…and stalking your FaceBook page… 🙂 It’s so nice to know that He knows the day of each one’s birth, though, isn’t it? And that He is never late!
My friend Ashleigh and her boys made it on a flight to Germany to see their Marine! Thanks to those who prayed!
::hug:: I’m like you in this. This week I realized that the constant aches in my heart were because I was carrying the weight and sadness for so many things in my heart when I should be letting Him carry them.
So, so glad that Ash made that flight…
Why is it we want so badly to carry other people’s burdens? Glad I’m not the only one.
HUGS
I was just thinking yesterday that I have been taking on other’s burdens TOO much. I need to instead, like you were saying, PRAY and leave their problems in God’s hands. He actually can DO something about them; I can’t.
Amen!