The Folly of Carrying Cares by Cris Loop Bridget had a problem--a problem that kept getting bigger and bigger. All day long, she kept getting packages called CARES handed to her. The CARES came in all sorts of shapes and sizes and from all different sources. And, rather than handing each new package to her father, who kept offering to carry them for her, Bridget insisted on carrying them herself. After all, it was part of being responsible, wasnt it? An onlooker looking at Bridget might have been uncertain whether to laugh or cry. Bridget was running about the house with a huge mound of packages in her arms. She couldnt see where she was going. She couldnt see the needs other people had. She couldnt see the lovely gifts her father had laid out for her. The pile of CARES in her arms blocked her vision! Bridget burst into tears. She couldnt stand it anymore! Her arms ached so dreadfully from carrying the weight of all her CARES. She had endured as long as she could, thinking all the while it would get better--the CARES would eventually go away. But for every CARE she disposed of, another came! She was certain no one else in the entire universe had been tried quite like she was being tried. Bridget felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. It was her father. My dear daughter, you cant carry these CARES. Bridget choked back a sob. I know I cant! But what am I to do? They all need carried and dealt with. And I do so want to serve you, Father, and do a good job... To Bridgets surprise, her father started picking up the packages in his own strong arms. Let me carry the CARES. You werent designed to carry them. Theyre only blocking your vision. Blocking my vision? Bridget queried. Her father nodded. You didnt see the flower bouquet Id left for you in the hallway did you? Or the tears in Jills eyes this morning that betrayed her need for a hug? Or the spectacular sunrise? Bridget shook her head. She hadnt seen any of those things because of the CARES in her arms. She remembered passing Jill that morning, but rather than giving her a hug, shed snapped at her and mumbled something about how she could use a little more help. Shed been asking her father to help her bless others, but shed been blinded to the opportunities before her because of these CARES! What a relief it would be to place them all in her fathers hands. She watched him pick them up with mounting joy...until he touched one of the largest CARES. Be careful with that one! she cautioned. I wouldnt hold it on its side like that. Its very important. Bridget, if Im going to carry your CARES, you have to trust me. I love you better than life itself. I will handle your CARES better than you ever could--but you have to trust that, even if things dont turn out as you imagined, I know what Im doing. Bridget blushed. How silly to doubt her father! She knew he was completely wise and caring and loved her perfectly. Ill trust you, she whispered. Bridget stood up again with a light feeling she hadnt felt for months. She was free! She could see and move at liberty again without the weight of all those CARES bogging her down. She set off toward the kitchen with a song in her heart... Out of the corner of her eye, Bridget caught sight of one of the CARES her father was carrying. Oh, Id better carry that one, she exclaimed, grabbing the CARE as she spoke. I have to take care of it this afternoon, and if I dont carry it, I might forget. Bridgets father shook his head. My darling daughter, cant you trust me to remind you? Here, write yourself a note if you will, but dont carry the CARE. If you carry it, youll only end up bogged down again. Bridget knew her father was right. She handed back the CARE to her father and again felt the joy of being at liberty. Yet the strangest thing kept happening. All day long, she continued to collect CARES. At first, Bridget waited until she was overwhelmed and couldnt see at all before she remembered to hand the CARES over to her father. Gradually, however, she began to realize she didnt have to wait. She could trust her father, admit that she couldnt carry any of it herself, hand her father each CARE as it arrived, and live in freedom! Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:6,7 (KJV)
Posted on: Thu, 24 Oct 2013 14:34:06 +0000
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