Hi Friend,
I had several other potential topics I was going to write about, but I'll be honest, my heart just wasn't into them. You see, I'm feeling rather weary.
A family situation that I have prayed about night and day for years seems to be getting worse instead of better. My loving senior dog, Zoe, who has dementia has been ill lately and I wonder if "that decision" will soon be on my doorstep? I have also had to realize that people have their churches, and their preferred charities and some simply don't care. It's hard when your zeal and passion for a certain cause are not necessarily shared by others.
I know better than to let my circumstances dictate my contentment with life...
But, yet they do sometimes. I know that Christ gives me the power to be content no matter what my circumstances, but life sometimes has a way of dragging me down.
"Come to me, all you 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." (Matthew 11:28-30)
I have read this verse many times, but when I examine it more closely I notice that it doesn't say, "Come to me if you ever get weary and burdened." No, it says:
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened..."
Our Lord is the one who sees and who knows. He knows that we all ARE weary and burdened at some point in our lives. He made us. He is mindful of our frame. He knows that we are human and that we ARE going to be weary and burdened at certain junctures in life.
Look what He does...He doesn't judge - far from it. He extends his hand, tilts our face toward His and says, "I will give you rest." I do like The Message translation when it says,
"Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
Oh how I yearn to live freely and lightly right now. And so, I climb into my Father's lap and I rest my head upon His strong shoulder and I abide with Him. I wait with Him and I learn from Him and I know that in His time, my burdens will be lifted...maybe not fully, but the clouds will dissipate.
I draw close to my Heavenly Father (my Abba/Daddy). I let the truth of Romans 8:38-39 sink into my soul:
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us (me) from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Life's circumstances will try to pry me away from the contentment that is found in being in relationship with my Lord. I am comforted to know that He will not let anything...no NOTHING...pry me from the palm of His hand. He loves me. he loves you that much!!
Are you feeling weary and burdened right now? If you are, know that you are not alone. The Lord deeply loves you. Keep company with Him and He will teach you how to live freely and lightly. Maybe we can learn together? I hope so. Be blessed...
In His love,
Bev
Help Needed to Bring Christmas to the Children of Redeemer Christian School!!! The doors have barely opened and the homeless, the fatherless and the destitute children of Pakistan have been flocking to Redeemer Christian School. Those who have nothing, are being given something - the Love of Jesus and the opportunity for an education.
Unlike our Children: These children will not receive any presents for Christmas unless compassionate hearts are willing to give. Our hope is to give each child a pair of shoes or a warm sweater this Christmas (cost $15.)
We also hope to provide a meal.
Christmas Program to be offered mid-December so if you want to help out, please send cash or check soon to:
Bev Rihtarchik/RCS
103 Silver Lining Lane
Cary, NC 27513
Thank you in advance for spreading Christ's love this Christmas!
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Thank you and congratulations to the winners of the drawing to say "thank you" to loyal subscribers of my blog. Winners of Starbucks giftcards and DaySpring Holley Gerth perpetual calendars have been notified.
