No More Weights

Bible Reading: Matthew 11:28-30

“Ainsley!” Mom’s voice was stern. “I told you it’s time to eat!”

Ainsley hurried to the table. She had noticed her mother wasn’t as patient as she used to be before Dad left. And she always looked tired and sad. “I’m sorry,” Ainsley said as she took her seat. “I’m not very hungry.” Her voice trembled as she hurried on. “I’m worried about how we’ll live until you find a job, and about doing better in school so you’ll be happier. I’ve been trying to clean up after myself so you won’t have to yell.” Tears slipped down Ainsley’s cheeks. “I worry that Dad won’t come back after the separation.”

Mom sighed. “I worry too. But that doesn’t excuse the way I’ve been treating you.” She got up and gave her daughter a hug. “I’m sorry, Ainsley—I didn’t mean to put all that on you.”

“Anybody home?” interrupted a loud, cheerful voice from the kitchen door.

“Uncle John!” Ainsley jumped up to greet her favorite uncle—then pointed to his wrists and ankles. “Why are you wearing those things?”

“You mean my weights?” Uncle John held up his arm for her to see better. “I’m getting in shape for the marathon, so I wear these when I run. It helps me build strength,” he explained. “But you can be sure I won’t wear them for the race!”

After a short visit, Uncle John left to continue his workout. “I can’t imagine weighing myself down like that,” Ainsley said as she watched her uncle disappear around the corner. “Running is hard enough without those weights.”

“I agree,” said Mom. She put her arm around Ainsley. “I think you and I are wearing weights too, but our weights aren’t helpful like Uncle John’s. I think our hearts are getting tired from all the worry we’ve been carrying around.”

Ainsley sighed. “Too bad we can’t take our weights off like Uncle John can.”

“But ours can come off too,” Mom said. “Jesus tells us to give our worries to Him, and I’m wondering why I’ve waited so long to do that. Let’s pray right now and ask Him to carry these weights for us. He loves us and promises to take care of us, and we can trust Him to help us in this situation.”

– Nance E. Keyes

How About You?

Is your heart heavy with worries about family, school, or money? Does it seem like there’s no solution to the problems you face? You need God’s help. Go to Jesus whenever you feel burdened by something that’s happening in your life. He cares. He took the weight of our sin upon Himself so He could offer us rest, and He will help you with whatever is troubling you. Give your burdens to Him—big or small—and He will carry them for you.

Today’s Key Verse:
1 Peter 5:7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. (NLT)

Today’s Key Thought:

Give your problems to God