Bend Your Knees

Bible Reading: Psalm 55:16-17, 22

Liam sat slumped on the steps as he watched Uncle Brett help Mom carry the furniture from the house to his truck, which was parked in the driveway. Why doesn’t Dad care about me anymore? Liam wondered. His dad had moved out and filed for divorce. He told Liam that he still loved him, but although Liam had cried and raged and begged Dad to come back home, nothing changed. Now Liam and his mom were moving to a smaller, cheaper house, and he felt like his heart was in pieces.

Mom patted Liam’s shoulder as she and Uncle Brett came up the steps. “Liam, can you come help us with this heavy dresser?”

Scowling, Liam went in the house. As he stooped over to help lift one end, Uncle Brett exclaimed, “No! No! That’s not the way to lift it, Liam. You’ll hurt your back that way. Watch me, and do it like this.” Uncle Brett bent his knees, lifted his end of the dresser, and then put it back down. “Lift your load with your knees, not your back.”

Mom sighed deeply. “You know, that’s just what I’ve been doing, Brett.”

“Good,” Uncle Brett replied. “You don’t need a backache on top of your heartache.”

Mom gave Uncle Brett a little smile. “I’m not talking about lifting the furniture. I’m talking about my heavy heart. I’ve been lifting it to Jesus on my knees in prayer. It’s the only way I can manage to keep going.”

“Good for you, sis,” said Uncle Brett.

“I’ve found it’s not the load that can hurt you, it’s how you carry it,” Mom said. “I don’t want to get bitter. I know Jesus will be with me through all of this, and I want to keep trusting Him.”

Uncle Brett turned to Liam. “How about you, Liam? How are you carrying your heartache? You need to lift that load with your knees too. Let Jesus help you carry it. He knows what a broken heart feels like and will help you through it.” Uncle Brett ruffled Liam’s hair. “And your mom and I are here to help you too. You can talk to us anytime.”

Tears blinded Liam, but he managed a smile. “Thanks, Uncle Brett.” Then he bent his knees and lifted his end of the dresser.

-Barbara J. Westberg

How About You?

Are you carrying a heavy load? Has someone you love left you? Is a friend or relative seriously ill? Are you having problems at school? Whatever it is, don’t try to bear that burden alone. Get on your knees and lift your load to Jesus in prayer. He understands what you’re going through. Trust Him. He cares, and He will help you—and He’ll put people in your life who can help you too.

Today’s Key Verse:
1 Peter 5:7 (ERV) Give all your worries to him [Jesus], because he cares for you.

Today’s Key Thought:

Give heartaches to Jesus