What a relief!

I work in customer service which some days (most days) is equivalent to being a magnet for everyone else's problems.

I enjoy my job but sometimes it gets wearisome. I've got my own problems and issues to deal with, the last thing in the world I want is someone else's problems. There are days when I come home from work and feel completely drained. Some days it feels like I've got the weight of the world resting on my shoulders.

Then I read this:

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

I've been thinking of that verse for the past week and I still have trouble comprehending it. Seriously?!? God is asking us to give Him our burdens??

It is not fun to handle other people's problems. It can be draining - mentally, physically, emotionally. There are days when I come home from work and just want to shut and lock the world out. Days when it crumbles me down. And yet, here is God, arms wide open saying "come and tell me your cares, tell me your worries, your cares, your fears. Leave your burdens here. I do not want you weighed down with them. Give them to me. I'll take care of them."

Oh. My.

The relief that that can bring! It is almost indescribable!

I can come home from a long day at work and when my mind has been racing and I'm simply exhausted, I know that I can kneel down and envision myself kneeling at His feet. The Bible says we can boldly come before His throne and I do. When I take my cares to Him, I envision myself there, at His feet. I can place my head in His lap and picture Him stroking my hair as I weep and pour my heart out before Him.

He cares. He really, truly cares.

He wants these moments. Even more than I do, He wants them. He asks for them, He waits patiently for them. And when time has passed and I come before Him again, and place my head on His lap and say, "God, I need to tell you something." He says, "Come here, Amy. Tell me all about it." And I do as I settle in and He gently caresses my hair and wipes my tears away, He listens. He takes them all in. The big cares and the little cares. He takes them all. He listens so intently, even when I struggle to put words to my emotions, He knows. And when I am done, He pulls me in close and wraps His mighty arms around me, holding me for just a few minutes. Long enough for me to feel His love. Long enough for me to feel and know His protection. Long enough to remind me He is always there.

I live for those moments.

I do not know why I put off those moments with my Savior, why I don't go there first. Instead, I have a tendency to try all MY ways first. (yeah, like that ever works) But I end up there, on the lap of my Heavenly Father, seeking His attention, unloading my heart and mind on Him. And He loves it.

We sang the hymn, "I Must Tell Jesus" the other night in church and I was overwhelmed with how the verses fit in with this thought so here are the words (written by Elisha A. Hoffman) :

I must tell Jesus all of my trials,
I cannot bear these burdens alone;
in my distress He kindly will help me,
He ever loves and cares for His own.

I must tell Jesus all of my troubles,
He is a kind, compassionate friend;
if I but ask Him, He will deliver,
make of my troubles quickly an end.

Tempted and tried, I need a great Savior,
One who can help my burdens to bear;
I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus;
He all my cares and sorrows will share

O how the world to evil allures me!
O how my heart is tempted to sin!
I must tell Jesus, and He will help me
over the world the victory to win.


I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone;
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.

"Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you." 1 Peter 5:7