This week we are at Edisto Beach with our girls and seven of their friends. It has been a very lowkey start with some good food, fun games, a little bit of sun by the pool and on the (very windy) beach one day, then some good rest because of rain the past two days. However, more sunshine and temps near 70 are on the horizon, and we will be here for it.
Josh and I have been enjoying long walks together too. I brought my weighted vest. Wearing a weighted vest has many benefits—increases endurance, can get your heart rate up quicker, and also helps build bone density, something older women, in particular, need to be aware of!
I also carry around in my heart and soul concerns for my kids and for Josh. I have a lot on my mind and can feel the stress sometimes in my chest, which I am working on with deep breaths and journaling, praying and trying to chill the heck out. And it struck me that the vest is sort of a representation of some of these things in life that I am carrying around.
Oftentimes I just want to cast my cares/burdens on the Lord and be done with them forever. But in reality, some of the burdens are mine to carry—with the Lord.
Matthew 11;28-30 says, “Come to Me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
So it is fair to say that the goal isn’t to carry nothing. There is something to carry even if you’re the learner with the yoke on your neck. But with the Lord, the burden isn’t going to take you under or knock you off your feet. You will go at His pace and His pace will be what is best for you. He will help you carry the load and teach you all along the way.
Much like the weighted vest is good for my physical body even though it makes moving more challenging, my burdens I carry with the Lord are intended for strengthening my faith and trust in Who God is. There is rest to be found even in the extra weight when I go to God with all of it.
