As Addison heals from her broken arm and slowly regains mobility, I’m trying to help with anything she needs. This morning she wanted her favorite breakfast of Ritz crackers and dandelion jelly (🤷♂️). I was surprised when she really wanted me to put the jar of jelly onto the plate she was about to carry thinking that might be a heavy with her injured arm, but then I realized she wanted me to carry the whole plate for her! I was glad to do it, and it was a great illustration of a simple truth: We can survive and thrive even with a lot on our plate as long as the heavy lifting isn’t up to us!
Isaiah 40:11 says, “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” What an amazing promise of hope to Israel during a difficult time in their history and by extension to all of us who will trust in God’s offer of hope, help, and salvation. We can keep going and even have joy and peace right in the middle of stress and “heavy lifting” if God is carrying us.
I love the Lord of the Rings, and one of my favorite quotes comes when Frodo can’t go on anymore despite his urgent mission to carry the ring. His friend Sam looks at him and says, “I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you and it as well. So up you get! Come on.” God can (and often does) carry our burdens for us, but many times He wants us to do our part as He carries us. No matter what’s on your plate right now, with God’s help we can get up, keep going, and love the life He’s given to us.
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