Burdened With Worry

“Come unto 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 of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” *  

One day I had a phone conversation with my friend Alvina Sue about a doubles tennis tournament that we recently attended. Our grandson Nate and his doubles partner had been among those selected to play.

Despite some health limitations, our daughter Shanda really wanted to go to the tournament, especially since it would be her oldest son’s last tennis match before going to high school.

 Many questions filled my mind beforehand. Shanda would need to use a walker for short distances and a wheelchair for sitting. How close would we be able to park to the courts? Would there be parents available who could help with the wheelchair?

 The temperature was projected to be in the low 90’s when Nate and his doubles partner, Jake, would be playing. They would have to play eight other teams for a total of 32 games, beginning at 4:30 and ending after 7:30 p.m.

How would Nate, Jake and the other athletes fare in such heat? And how about all of the spectators? It sounded grueling for everyone involved. What about bathrooms? Now that was another concern!

On the day of the tournament, Al drove Shanda’s car which easily held the three of us adults, Nate and his younger brother Elliot, the wheelchair and walker, along with Nate’s tennis gear, chairs, umbrellas for shade and whatever else was needed.

When we arrived, the handicapped places in the parking lot closest to the courts were already taken, and the lot was nearly full. However, a person directing traffic guided us to an undesignated spot next to the handicapped parking that was very convenient.

As I shared with Alvina, my worries were quickly dispelled as people offered to lend a hand when needed. We were even able to sit in a covered area designated for coaches and players only, not far from the restrooms.

Everything worked out well that day, except perhaps for Nate and Jake who would have liked to have done better. But we three were very proud of them, of their endurance and sportsmanship too.

“I shouldn’t have worried,” I told Alvina.

            “Well, you know, Judy,” she said, “You can stand there and worry, but then you will find out that He has gone ahead of you and prepared the way.”

            So true! That is exactly what happened at the tennis tournament. God did go ahead of us and prepare the way.

            Life seems to bring with it burdens that we all must carry. But when we worry about future events or situations beyond our control, those burdens just seem to grow heavier.

Al and I used to take at least one long backpack every summer, usually with family or a small group of friends. I loved being in the high country, soaking in the beauty of our surroundings, especially watching the alpine glow on the mountains after sunset, and always enjoyed the camaraderie of our group.

In the evenings we’d sit around the campfire and share stories, or crowd into a tent for a modified version of the card game Uno.  Sometimes we would lie on our backs on a slab of granite, looking up at the pitch-black sky to spot shooting stars.

The one thing I disliked about backpacking though was carrying the backpack! Despite trying to keep down the weight, it seemed to grow heavier with each step along the trail. Ugh!

    So now here I am years later, still carrying a burden of worry that weighs me down and even keeps me awake at night.

Jesus offers us the opportunity to come to Him when we are weary and burdened, to trade our worries for the peace of mind which only He can give.

P—pray 

E—expect God to answer

A—awareness of His working

C—comfort in His Word and presence

E—express gratitude ahead of time!

Al used to sing a song to Shanda when she was little… “Why worry when you can pray? Trust Jesus, He’ll show you the way. Don’t be a doubting Thomas, just rest upon His promise. Why worry, worry, worry, worry, when you can pray?” (Composer unknown)

Why are we worried? God is in control!

 

*Matthew 11: 28-30 NIV

(picture above, Grandson Nate on right, Jake on left)