17 February 2021

I was only going to buy a couple of things at the supermarket. But as I went up and down the aisles, (because I was not at my usual shopping centre and I did not know where everything was) I started remembering there were a few more items that I needed. Oh yes, the ketchup was low and I needed more toilet paper.

Soon my arms were full. I had not got a trolley at the front of the shop or a basket for I was only getting a few items, ha ha ha. As I turned the corner of the aisle and I reached out for that one last item to put on the pile in my arms, it all fell apart. The straw that broke that camel’s back. I was the camel and the yoghurt was the straw.

It all started tumbling down.

It made me think, how many items do I have in my life that I often am trying to carry all by myself?

I don’t need a trolley. I don’t need a bag. I don’t need help. I don’t need…….

I can do it!

Till I can’t. We all have our limits.

I learnt this long ago as a mother of 5 young children under the age of 6. Some days were the “last straw days.” Some days I coped fine, others not so well.

But guess what – I’m still learning – as this supermarket experience has taught me again.

I sometimes can’t juggle it all. (I really tried- but the yoghurt ended up on the floor and the voice over the speaker said, “Clean up in Aisle 5.”)

Do you hear that voice from God sometimes? “Clean up Aisle 9!”

If only I learnt the first time. Just the scenarios are different.

I should have listened to and I should keep listening to the advice in Matthew.

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28 NRSV

Putting all jokes aside (and that’s not easy to do today cause the yoghurt is on me!)

Are you carrying heavy burdens? Too heavy for you to keep carrying?

Do you need help in carrying what is in your life? Maybe you can’t change your circumstances but can someone come alongside you to give you a hug? To tell you they are here for you, whenever you need to share, whenever you need time out.

Do you need to know that GOD is ALWAYS with you and wants to relieve your burdens?

God can send you POWERFUL GRACE to cope with your burdens. He can miraculously change your circumstances. Ask Him to come and help carry, to fix, whatever His will is.

Verse 29 goes on to say,

“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”

Matthew 11:29

“Oh!” I thought taking on Jesus yoke – another burden? BUT NO for verse 30 states,

“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light”.

Matthew 11:30

That’s Jesus for you. His upside-down Kingdom’s yoke (just visualise the wood that goes across an ox’ shoulders) gives you rest and takes away your burdens if you give them to Him and live with His yoke in your Life.

So what have I learnt – Give it ALL to Jesus.

AND next time take a bag to the supermarket.

P.S. You’ll never guess what email I just received in my Inbox as I finished writing this blog…it was a supermarket offer to get a FREE BAG!!! How did they know?

May these jottings from my journal inspire you to believe in and fall in love with Christ- the hope of the world, as stated in Jeremiah 17:7, ‘Blessed is the man who believes and trusts in and relies on the Lord and whose hope and confident expectation is the Lord!’

Love

Rosemary

Every week groups of ladies meet together to chat about the things I raise in my weekly blog post and to chat about life in general. We call these ‘Heart Connect’ groups. If you would like more information please click HERE.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

How many bags are you carrying? Do you need to give some to God?

Can you trust in God to take on His yoke?

What is stopping you?