Good Saturday Morning, wonderful blog community. I’ve thought of you so many times this week and knew that some of you really active ones were wondering where on earth the Mama was. Sabrina told me a few weeks ago that I had a week off coming up and I knew in that moment what I wanted to do with it. I did not take it off but I did stay home each day this week – out here in the country – and gave my full attention to a personal project. I normally still would have blogged at least once but, for the life of me, I could not think of anything to say. I’ve just had a quiet of sorts fall on me. Have you had times like that? Times when a stab of pain was personal enough and stunning enough to somehow cause you to put your hand over your mouth and keep it there a while? Times when you want to scream, “What is going on here? What is this madness? How did this happen??”
If you’re like me, you find it much easier to talk about a storm in its wake. In the middle of it, you’re just trying to hold on tight to the edges of the boat and keep from throwing up while it rocks to and fro. I’m still in it so I’d rather not even speak to it directly and once again ask you to resist conjecture as well. This is such a public format. I don’t want anyone involved in the challenge hurt by any words here. There’s enough hurt. But I want to be able to minister here and serve here and share with you even in the middle of a hard situation. Please let me leave it at that. Staying general invites more people to relate anyway.
One reason I have a quiet come over me in a season like this is the pure length of time that can be involved. Yesterday someone I’m crazy about shot me a very loving text that included, “How is it all going?” and I never answered it because it’s going the same as it went last week. Anybody understand what I’m saying? This dyed in the wool sanguine likes to say, “SO MUCH BETTER!” I don’t like to burden people long term. Oh heck, I don’t like to be burdened long term either. Who does?? In our humanity, we all wear out eventually. But sometimes the fact is, we’re not quite at the point of so much better yet. We will be. Make no mistake. Those of us who are willing to let Jesus minister to us in the deepest parts of our souls and knead the crushed grain of brokenness into break will indeed be so much better. It’s just a matter of time. Satan will indeed be defeated. And God will make sure he’s sorry.
I decided I had the words to write to you this morning – not because I felt talky all the sudden but – because Charles Spurgeon supplied them to me. They landed on a sore spot in my soul and brought some comfort and insight. I thought I’d just share the whole thing with you then make a closing comment or two. From Morning and Evening, today’s date…
“Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee.”
— Psalm 55:22
Care, even though exercised upon legitimate objects, if carried to excess, has in it the nature of sin. The precept to avoid anxious care is earnestly inculcated by our Saviour, again and again; it is reiterated by the apostles; and it is one which cannot be neglected without involving transgression: for the very essence of anxious care is the imagining that we are wiser than God, and the thrusting ourselves into his place to do for him that which he has undertaken to do for us. We attempt to think of that which we fancy he will forget; we labour to take upon ourselves our weary burden, as if he were unable or unwilling to take it for us. Now this disobedience to his plain precept, this unbelief in his Word, this presumption in intruding upon his province, is all sinful. Yet more than this, anxious care often leads to acts of sin. He who cannot calmly leave his affairs in God’s hand, but will carry his own burden, is very likely to be tempted to use wrong means to help himself. This sin leads to a forsaking of God as our counsellor, and resorting instead to human wisdom. This is going to the “broken cistern” instead of to the “fountain;” a sin which was laid against Israel of old. Anxiety makes us doubt God’s lovingkindness, and thus our love to him grows cold; we feel mistrust, and thus grieve the Spirit of God, so that our prayers become hindered, our consistent example marred, and our life one of self-seeking. Thus want of confidence in God leads us to wander far from him; but if through simple faith in his promise, we cast each burden as it comes upon him, and are “careful for nothing” because he undertakes to care for us, it will keep us close to him, and strengthen us against much temptation. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee.”
Spurgeon, C. H. (2006). Morning and evening : Daily readings (Complete and unabridged; New modern edition.). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers.
I think I’ve told you before that I like to do my early morning reading out of a different translation than the one I use the rest of the time. Different wording often has a way of stirring up a different response in me. So, a couple of translations sit on my desk where I have my quiet time. One is always The NET Bible because Melissa gave it to me several years ago and it has (literally) “60,932 Translators’ Notes.” If I’m not presently doing a Bible study in my quiet time like the one I just finished of Kelly Minter’s, then often I’ll open up a devotional reading like Spurgeon’s. Because many of the daily devotionals don’t have longer Bible readings assigned with them, I check the verse they’re using then turn to that chapter in my Bible and read it. (True to form, I’m making this explanation harder than it has to be. I’ll try to cut to the chase.)
SO, this morning I opened up The NET Bible and read a large portion of Psalm 55. When I got to verse 22 – the verse captioned in the Spurgeon devotional –Â I sat tight on the NET translation:
“Throw your burden upon the Lord, and he will sustain you. He will never allow the godly to be upended.”
Maybe you’re visual, too, and right about now you’re picturing throwing. Like hauling off and throwing something as hard as you can. And maybe getting a little frustration and madness out of your soul while you’re at it. Maybe crying while you’re doing it. Even out loud.
Throw.
Before you’re tempted to hold it to your chest and suffocate yourself nearly to death with it.
Throw.
Then something else spoke to me. It was one of those 60, 932 scholars’ notes. The comment footnotes the word “you” at the end of the phrase “Throw your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you.” I’ll just cut and paste the note from my Bible software so you can see it for yourself.
“The pronoun is singular; the psalmist addresses each member of his audience individually.”
Biblical Studies Press. (2006; 2006). The NET Bible First Edition Notes (Ps 55:22). Biblical Studies Press.
Individually. We EACH have the invitation to throw our burdens upon the Lord and let Him sustain us. Not the “we” of us. The “you” and “me” of us. We also each have the responsibility. In other words, no one can throw our burden on the Lord for us. We can’t call in a relief pitcher. Don’t misunderstand. We can certainly call upon people to pray for us and with us and the New Testament adamantly tells us to carry one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2) but listen. There is a difference between a burden that is entrusted for us in a season that we are to partner in sharing and carrying. Say, for instance, a long term illness or thorn in the flesh. But the part of the burden that we are inadvertently – even accidentally – playing God over needs to be THROWN, Girlfriend. The part we’re suffocating under because we’re no longer walking, we’re laying down with it on top of us, needs to be…
Thrown.
When we keep trying to figure out what would fix it, then we try that, and it doesn’t work so we wring our hands and go to the next fix, we need to throw it. We cannot be Savior. We know that because, Lord help us, we cannot even save ourselves.
I so don’t want to be depressing this morning. Forgive me. See? That’s why I’m not as anxious to write while I’m right in the middle of something. But, after this morning’s reading, I don’t feel as depressed about it. I feel a little lighter. A little less weight on my chest. My hope is that you do, too. And if you do, it won’t be this post. It will be Jesus.
Oh, you guys. I love you so much. I care so much. Don’t grow weary. God is working. Jesus IS Savior. HE WILL SAVE.
Spurgeon’s words are so good, as so timely, as are yours.
I meant “and so timely.”
I just have to tell you that this morning I had a little pity party for one. I needed to get the cry out of me because things have been a little difficult lately to say the least. Ironically at church last week I was feeling a bit void because there was “nothing going on” personally that made me feel any kind of emotion during worship. Then this week brought enough to last me the rest of the year. And when I finally reached my breaking point, I got out my spiral of verses that I’ve been memorizing and cried through them, prayed my heart out to God and was honest enough to say that I knew these things were true but that I just wasn’t believing them in the deepest parts of my broken heart to be true. But by the time I got to my 6th verse the tears were slowing and hope was returning. Not long after that I talked to my cousin who apparently also had some devastating news this morning and I told him that I actually practiced what I preached today and got out my verses and prayed them through the tears. I told him how you were the one who inspired me to do it even though I hadn’t ever really done that up to this point. I told him that from your story I knew that memorization was my only hope at sanity. And then to read this post, it’s just another reminder how faithful and awesome God is. So thank you for admitting that you to still need to remember to throw things, because it’s so easy as a woman to think I should be able to remain strong enough and to look for strength in my own broken cistern instead of putting my head straight into the fountain. My flesh and my heart my fail but God IS the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Beth, I thank OUR SWEET JESUS for throwing His word on you this morning & you throwing it at me & others that might have felt like they were suffocating under some personal burdens today. I have two battles going on right now that I have been trying to fight on my own, why ???? 1st: Our son’s marriage is crumbling before our eyes & our 4 yr old granddaughter is caught in the middle. 2nd: My great niece 13 yrs old has been sexually assaulted by someone the family
has known for yrs. This great niece is the granddaughter of my sister(she passed away 2 yrs ago after a long battle of addiction). It seems like all of my sister’s sins are being thrown on her children & grandchildren.
Sooo sorry for the long comment, your post just hit me right between the eyes. Thanx
Thanks for sharing Beth and no it wasn’t depressing. It echos a prayer card we used last week in our healing service for God’s GALS final celebration of your James study. Our dear Pastor Liz suggested it… I’m not sure if I have the correct wording, but it was “Cast your worries to me. I’ve got it, Remember. Love, God”
Blessings of Peace & Joy,
Mary Ann
Dear Beth,
Thank you so much for sharing from your heart. I an praying for you, and I am throwing my cares to God.
My Dear Sister..
“Yesterday someone I’m crazy about shot me a very loving text that included, “How is it all going?” and I never answered it because it’s going the same as it went last week. Anybody understand what I’m saying? ” YES!!! I so do understand what you are saying…that’s EXACTLY how I feel. Like you I want to point others to the God who works wonders even when I wonder if He works (in my present situation) but…(don’t mistake me, He does work, I just feel or see the same old thing in my line of vision)…
But Beth, thank you for taking the time and energy to write this today. I sure needed it. You will only understand the impact and ministry of it when you stand before God (or perhaps talking to me as we stand before God). So, again, thank you for listening to the One who gave you insight, comfort and strength to share His ministry to you, with us. Bless you, Beth and thank you, Jesus.
Along with a qazillion others, I hold you up in prayer before the Throne.
Debbie
(P.S…so excited — you will be HERE, where I am in a TWO short weeks — praying for that too!!!)
P.S,…I just want to say one more thing…”Our God is faithful!” This is not a new truth by any means…but one I need to just KNOW deep down in my marrow.
I think I had better go back to the Blog 101 as something happened during my post. I think somehow I clicked on submit comment before I was done..Sorry! Anyway, you are loved. I’m married to a fisherman who CASTS a Big Cast net for is 6’5″ frame. I heard somewhere that’s the word Peter used when he said we are to cast our cares upon the LORD. Ever since I learned that I picture my husband casting that huge net, but I let go of it and it just goes flying…love, Sandy
Love that visual!
Thank you, for sharing your life with us. Thanks for not ever doing “Pollyanna-ism” – you know, acting like everything is ok and chipper! Thanks for speaking from your pain, and not trying to candy coat your life.
We hurt with you.
I can totally relate to this post!!!
I talk so much that sometimes.. (Alot of times) I am not listening. God is trying to tell me something while I am too busy telling him how I want it.
During my divorce 6 years ago.. I literally threw my hands up in the air, asking for the Lord to fix whatever is broken. I didn’t even know what to pray or how to pray it. I did know that I wanted God’s will. So I was quiet and let Him have His way.. Even though It was a hard road to travel, God went before Our God is a Big God and he cares for all of our troubles.
Peace Siestas.
Shannon
(on phone, so will be short).
Thanks Beth, Charles Hadden, David. Thanks, Lord. These are good words, and true.
…that would be Charles HaddOn Spurgeon – Haddon with an “o” (a true Miesta!) (male version of Siesta). Can’t wait to meet him.
Mama Beth It was so good to hear from you and to hear your honesty as you shared your pain this morning. Our family is currently going thru a time of trial that could have devastating results. We are talking, emailing texting and facebooking each other with encouraging messages. Reminding each other of God’s grace and mercy. Quoting scripture and singing praises. God is in control and Be anxious for nothing. As you are able to share we (siestas) will listen and continue to hold you up in prayer. Take heart..Greater is He that is in us than he who is in the world.
Sweet hugs
Carolyn
Oceanside,Ca
Thanks Beth. My brother is younger than I. I could write a book (funny though when I think to try anything that comes out sounds far too personal or judgmental or awful to put on paper for the world to read through.) We had a time growing up. Suffice it to say–I struggled. Aluded to in past posts on this blog. Well my sweet baby boy brother grew up and tattooed himself to the hilt (I don’t mind tattoos actually–but they are not sweet exactly) and hardened his countenance and took to certain soul-killing pain relief. And I get mad. Not because I’m better (but my getting mad I’m guessing comes off that way to him) but because I’m scared. Fears that I hold even for myself on the days I’m only barely holding on.
Thanks for this post. Really. My sweet baby brother, me, how many others, have the truth in our heads. For some of us it wiggled it’s way to our hearts when we called the name of Jesus. For many the truth is the thing that has been used to abuse. And this hurts me. Because I know what its like to run away from the one thing that might help…to have a hard hard time unraveling truth from lies when you do turn to the Lord.
So then it is just as you say–I can’t (hardly!) save myself. I can’t (surely if you ever saw my efforts here it’s be laughing stock!) save him.
Thanks again.
Wish to meet you someday honestly. You’ve so greatly encouraged me in so very many many ways Ms. Beth
Tanya, I am new here, i’ve read every blog from day one but decided to post on this one. I am with you on the baby brother thing. I am lifting up Tanya’s brother right now and one day, dear sister, we will celebrate with our brothers in heaven together! Yep, God saves, save them Lord.
Tanya,
I appreciated what you had to say. I think you should write that book, you have no idea how sharing your thoughts could minister to others. There is someone out there who needs to hear what you have to say.
God Bless
Elaine
wow… how closely I can relate to this one. Baby brother turned away from what can truly help because of insincere, mis-leading “religious” leaders and family-members. Still praying for his heart because, deep down, he knows the truth and wants it so badly… he’s just kind of given up. I rest assured that His life and soul are still safely in our Father’s keeping, though, because HE knows the heart, and once it was given to Him, He never let go. Much love to you.
Melanie, Elaine, NikkiBriggs–
Thanks for your thoughts. And prayers. I actually am working on a book. But its slow going because like I said I have a hard time telling the story the way it really was in a way that expresses the true heart of it. And captures the right take-a-ways.
I posted because I *feel* Beth on this. Only suspect that she has a bit more practice on the trusting God–throwing–than I have. I have been reticent to trust the Lord. But am learning…
Thanks again…
Beth, how do you throw it and what do you do if it keeps coming back? How do you stop allowing yourself to suffocate under the same anxious thoughts, situations, worry? How do you stop trying to fix things – you know, protect things? I pray, I worry, I pray, I fix, I pray……. Do we all struggle with this one? Because anxiety is winning at the moment- physically as much as mentally.
I trusted Jesus for my salvation when I was 8 yrs old. Why can’t I trust him with my fears now?
Alisha, you are not alone in this one. I know exactly how you feel. I guess the important thing is that in the middle of all the worrying and fixing, you keep praying. God hears you, and He loves that you’re talking to Him about the things that worry you. Maybe one of your prayers could be to ask Him for the wisdom to know how not to take back your concerns after you throw them to Him. I’m certainly going to give that a try, because anxiety is winning at the moment for me – physically and mentally – too.
Alisha,
You can and you are trusting him. It’s a process and sometimes it’s absolutely miserable, but it is consistently infused with God’s grace. That’s why we love the Psalms and Beth and Peter and David. You ARE a woman after God’s own heart because you keep coming back to him. You are so flawed but you are so holy because the One who dwells in you by his Holy Spirit has made you holy (Col 3:12).
I can’t speak for everyone on this blog, but I can say, “Yes, I do struggle with this one.”
You’re awesome, Alisha! Happy Pentecost!
Alisha, my reply to you is, “YES”. Yes, I struggle with this. Yes, I find myself taking it back again and again. I began reading “One in a Million” by Priscilla Shirer last night and this jumped out at me. Perhaps you can find strength in her words:”Turns out there is a big difference between being free and living free. The first requires our acceptance of God’s gracious gift to undo the power of sin in our lives…the other requires an ongoing reliance on the Holy Spirit to help us live in obedience to the Lord.” (pg32)
Just wanted you to know I stuggle too and understand what you are saying, dear sister.
When I was in that same situation, and in such agony, my sweet friend told me to find a verse, or verses to read or say whenever my mind started that circle of worry and pain. God, and his word, did get me through that despair. I know I would be in a padded room if not for His faithfulness. Praying for you now.
Oh wow… yes, me too… tell me how to actually throw this “thing” out of my own mind. Sometimes I feel like I’m my own worst enemy, and like I am a prisoner of my own brain. I agree….
Breahn Royal
White Oak, Texas
I am with you alisha…
how do you practically THROW it? how do you decide when to keep moving and when to sit still. that decision in itself is overwhelming..
anyone have any advice on how to give it all up?
Oh, but you can. And you are not alone – we all struggle with taking the burden back. Don’t hold it for too long… it gets heavier and harder to throw the longer you hold onto it. I don’t have answers for you, but our Father does. Praying the Holy Spirit will minister to you. You are precious and SO very loved by our Father. I do know that every promise in His Word is YES and AMEN. He promised He would NEVER leave you and NEVER forsake you. All I can think to say is rest. Just rest. Rest is what He gives to His beloved. And you are His beloved… <3
Oh how I struggle with this too…. How I wish I could truly roll the burden onto Him, then just trust Him with the details…
Dear Beth, thanks so much for your encouragement today. I really, really needed it. I have been praying for you and your family!
Amen sister. Enjoy the quiet with Him–melancholy tides roll up and down, storms toss up gently the best shells whole intact. Enjoy Him as the tides lap over you! Praise God He speaks and is so kind. Love, Billie in Greenville Kentucky.
Beth,
I love you and wish I could hug your neck right now. 🙂 Thank you for sharing today. As always, God has perfected the timing of your post to remind me also to THROW a burden down that began pressing on me yesterday afternoon. OUR SWEET JESUS WILL SUSTAIN US AND HE WILL NOT LET US FALL!!!
Kim
Oh my goodness! Have you been reading my
mind? I know just what you are talking about,
I am usually very talkative, but right now I can
barely speak…such a difficult time…Psalm 62;5-8
comforts my soul.
Today’s words are truly fitting for me and my family also…Had not thought about ‘throwing’ our concerns ‘to’ the Lord instead of hugging them all the closer!
Praying for you, and your family!
Thank you for being so transparent with us!!!
Love you, Siesta Mama!!
Dear Beth , I have been in tears for weeks thank you for sharing, I will be in prayer for you and I will throw my burden on My God.
Blessings
I have a dear friend who is walking a very long road right now. Her husband has Parkinson’s and things are getting worse rapidly. She so struggles to deal with all the issues that come up. I copied and pasted a large part of your post and sent it to her along with the link to read the rest. Thank you for sharing. Just as I love her and pray for her, you are in my prayers too.
Throw….love that word picture. I’ve been “throwing” for several months, maybe over a year now. Pete Wilson asked a question on his blog several months ago, “what is your greatest fear”…mine: that I’ll remain this broken for the rest of my life. But I have to say, I keep “throwing” these cares at Him. It hasn’t been pretty, but I do have to say that my relationship with Him has definitely become more real, and I truly believe that He likes it better this way. Not so “pollyanna” but the rubber meets the road kind of faith. Definitely helps to keep us from being “pithy” when others are in crisis. Keith Getty song: “Jesus draw me ever nearer as I labor through this storm. You have called me to this passage, I will follow though I’m worn. May this journey bring a blessing, may I rise on wings of faith. And at the end of my heart’s testing, with Your likeness let me wake. Jesus guide me through the tempest, keep my spirit staid and sure. When the midnight meets the morning, may I love You even more….”
I am sad that you are in a season of storms and pain, but thank you for reaching out. I needed this.
Oh mama Beth.. how much I love you for all you do for our heavenly father. A season in my life that is different then any I’ve been through and I’ve been through some. This one is different this one is a deal breaker …I can’t turn and run the other way. I can’t dig a hole and just throw it in or jump in and hide … I can’t just stay were I’m at…I have to learn to believe that God in all that he is. Me this person that is just. Made of dirt he is calling by name to throw my stuff away to give it to him. Thank-you for sharing .
Dear Beth,
Thank you for encouraging us as you are going through something hard yourself. You are such a lovely, upbeat lady… God has given you that sense of humor and positivity to encourage many… I pray that whatever hardship you are going through right now will pass and that God will be glorified. You have helped me so much and I am so grateful that God has given you to all of us to help us through life. You are a true, shiny, special vessel of Jesus and I am so blessed to be able to consider you my teacher. Thank you for everything dear Beth. I love you 🙂 Let the Lord take you through your difficulty smoothly and let us see your shiny smile once again soon.
God knew I needed to hear all of that today! Thank you, Beth, and love you much! 🙂
Wow, dear Beth!
Just an hour ago I was tempted to start seriously worrying about something I knew I shouldn’t. I’ve done that before in my life, but this time I remembered the verse in the New Testament—“Cast all your cares upon Him for he cares for you” and I told the Lord that was what I was doing. Now I check your blog and see the verse from Psalms saying pretty much the same thing. What a precious word to me from Him through you. Thank you! I am praying for you and your situation.
Beth,
Our friend, mentor, and fellow sojourner – we love you and are thankful for an opportunity to lift you up in prayer. Your reference to Psalm 55:22 is reminiscent of 1 Peter 5:7 which you spoke to many of us several months ago during a livestream. The image of throwing or casting our burdens, our anxiety is very intentional and necessary for many of us. I have been reminded of this several times as I have had the opportunity to share with others. God will have His greater glory through your experience, Dear One. In the meantime, your Siestas will be lifting you up in prayer.
Kelly
What a powerful post! How many times have I been where you are, and that was a precious message you shared. Right now I am praying for you, Siesta Mama, and whatever that burden is that is weighing you down. Jesus knows our every burden. We love you, Beth.
I’ll be throwing some things…
Again, God has used you to help shed “light” on a most difficult season- I want to THROW these heavy heavy burdens to my Lord- truthfully I’m afraid he’ll pitch them back at me- I know that is nonsense- this season feels like I am being “stoned” and I can’t catch and throw those stones off fast enough to survive
Thank you, I am going to read your post again and sit in prayer and ask my/our Lord to help me THROW all these burdens and block the ongoing pounding- God Bless you during this “quiet” time and may your burdens be embraced by Jesus to heal your heart and those in this storm that you love and care for so greatly-
Amen and Amen Dear Sister in Christ- I do not want to sin by trying to carry/fix these decades of burdens- I have experienced the results of trying to FIX with human wisdom and the results have only led to more pain- oops I’m off again- Blessings and appreciation
…just thanks for being real, Beth…as usual and as needed. Love you.
Beth, I as a lot of people have, needed this. I’ve been trying furiously to “help” God and not let him do what he needs and wants in my life. I think I’m afraid of not having control. Thanks again. I’m still praying for you all.
Beth,
Thank you for sharing from your heart! I am always inspired by your words and how our Lord uses you to share His message. I am in a pit right now with my teenage daughter but i am throwing this upon our Lord and believing he will sustain me through it. Thanks again for your wisdom! You are truly a blessing in my life!
Praying for you as you go through your storm.
Brandy
Oh faithful one! You are so true to God’s Word! God has used your pain to strengthen each of us that read your blog. I pray for your healing and know that God will see you through this season. I pray for you daily and thank God for your ministry that reaches millions. You have gotten me back into the word after an absence of several years. You make God’s word come alive! I pray each day for God to give you the strength and stamina to do what you do each day. I pray each day that God will bless you and give you peace.
I am a new Siestas and am blessed already. I love you for who God made you. Just know you are lifted up each and every day and I care so much.
Wilma
Oh Beth. Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing that with us today. You described what I am feeling in my season of life. Not fun. Sometimes it’s just nice to be reminded we are not alone. And to receive an infusion of courage from the Word. I love you, girl!
Dear Beth,
Thank you for your heart and your honesty–your God given beauty is is expressed on so many levels. Thank you for your faithfulness to be in the Word, in season and out of season. Your legacy is one that will only be measured in Heaven. I pray for you often, knowing that to much is given, much is required. Also knowing that we have an enemy who hates how the Lord uses His beautiful daughter and the ministry that radiates from her and her loved ones. I am so glad that satan does not have the final word and does not win the war!
With so much technology today, there seems to be an expectation of immediate response, leaving little space for contemplation and quiet. I left several text messages unanswered today as well. Textual blurting has also seem to taken hold in our culture.
I too am learning about quiet as I care for my 94 year old mother-in-law. As a high extrovert, it is a challenge for me to just be with someone who does not talk much at all. I find great energy from verbal connection. This season is one of obedience, humility and being hidden. I hang on to the Truth that there are great treasures in the dark and intimacy in the pain.
Thank you for the thoughts on casting our burdens. How amazing to know that our Father already knows them, we have a high priest who has suffered through them and we are given the opportunity to find comfort in His arms during them. How these earthly trails make us long for the fullness of God’s glory in Heaven!
Thank you again for your time and words. You are wise in the way you share and loved in prayer.
Indeed, “the burden,” has been lifted a little by Jesus. Thank you for sharing today!
Thank you, Beth for sharing this. As always, God’s timing is perfect.
Mama Beth, earlier today I very randomly started telling my husband about the lpm blog and how even though there are a lot of people on it, it’s a caring community. I then told him about some of the struggles your family member(s) and you had gone through. Really, I was just telling him because I get awestruck at the pain that people go through. How do we end up in situations that are just bafflingly difficult? When I am struggling sometimes my only prayer to God is “I don’t understand”. Which makes my husband and I laugh sometimes because, really, all we need to understand is that God has a plan and rest in that. I had a realization the other day that helped me put things into good perspective, it was: God didn’t set up our life here now to be hell and heaven later. He wants us to enjoy life.
My munchkin just got home with her dad, so time to say goodbye. THanks for sharing…
Beth,
I am weary.
I know what you mean about the quiet. Many times I
maintain the silence for fear of it all spilling out…when it isn’t the right time to “spill”.
With a child that isn’t getting better, and being a mom that just doesn’t know how to best help her…I am weary.
Thank you for the word.
Thank you so much for these words of encouragement. You and your ministry are in my prayers.
Much love,
michelle in VT
Well, dear Beth, as you can see many of us Siestas are in the same boat and we love you for your transparency. A one who feels like I should have a Master’s degree in suffering and loss over the past 12 years. I will say what all of us know in our heart of hearts but always need reminding, God is Greater than our hearts and emotions!!
Just came home from church (and dinner) and Jay Stack spoke as our dear Pastor is in Romania for 10 days caring for the Christians there and serving in the seminary and with their youth. HE spoke on the “Red Sea Rules.” It was so rich I can’t share it all here but maybe this message is on a You Tube out there. Actually, will likely be on our church’s website later this week not sure if it is okay to post that here so won’t for now. Anyway, I had never heard this passage taught quite in this way but the realization that when the Israelites could not see God going before them as He had been for so long. He was still there and actually behind them keeping the Egyptians from being able to get to them before they made the choice to “go forward.” So I am purposing to remember this the next time I am feeling God is far away, that He’s got my back!
Also, some of the best reading other than the Word I have found in these times, “Streams in the Desert”, “Calm My Anxious Heart”, “As Silver Refined.”
Praying for you and Gay and all the family that God will reach down and “do it again!” Please pray for my Pastor as he left with a severe sinus infection and it has moved to his ears and has to fly home on Tuesday.
Blessings!!
That was Jay Strack just saw the name was mispelled my apologies.
I am leading a study this summer by Carol Kent, “Between a Rock and a Grace Place.” Summer is supposed to be a ‘get away from it all’ time’. We just finished Breaking Free during the school year. We do it differently. We take 3 weeks for each of your 1 week sessions so we can digest it thoroughly. Anyway, after a study like that you’d think we would need a break. Never! Not from God’s Word. I sent a mass email out to family and friend’s to see if anyone wanted to join me in my home. 27 responded. I will be rearranging my house every other week so these ladies can survive when they’re between a rock and a hard place. We all need to find that grace place that our Lord so wants to give us. Saying all that to say, we’re there with you. So sorry, but so thankful for His grace place in our hard places.
Oh my gosh! I am now Throwing!! Thank you!
Beth,
I love, love, love the ways of our great God!Thank you for writing out of your own personal need and in obedience to the Lord. I write this post having just returned from 10 days of ministering to women in Egypt. The beauty, mystery, needs and passions of those precious women completely captivated my heart. Leaving them there, knowing the elections were only days away and the future for Egypt is fragile at best, has placed on me a burden I simply cannot carry. Upon returnng to the States my husband and I just attended the MBI Pastors’ conference this week where we heard Crawford Lorritts preach a powerful message from Psalm 55. He shared this version of verse 22: “Place back on God what He has allowed to be placed on you.” I found great comfort and challenge in that and immediately began placing my burden back on Him through prayer and reining in my renegade thoughts. Reading your post today just made me shake my head and wonder at our great God. Now, I’ll be throwing instead of placing.:) Beth, I am sorry for the season you’re facing, but you and I both know these quiet times of intensity become the precious times of intimacy…they rarely come any other way. We may be facing different burdens, but I am honored to join you as we throw them back on the One who has entrusted them to us in the first place. I love you like crazy! Kelleen Little
I have that exact verse (Psalm 55:22) on my computer screen, and have read it many times without really absorbing it. I , as well, have a loved one who dominates much of my prayer life, I thank you so much for your insight and ability to share God’s word so vividly. I will be praying for you and your sweet sister as you go through this trial.
Vicki
Yes, HE WILL SAVE. He is good and His love unfailing.
Hey, Bethie… Hang in there, girl… God’s got this… no matter what this is… As a friend of mine is fond of saying, “He’s still God.” Praying for you!
Bitsy
Ms. Beth
I remember you telling your Sunday school class (I have audio) about Melissa going through a difficult time and brokenness. Keith told you, she will be fine she has a lion heart. For many reasons I cried and cried over this story. For her. For the wisdom of Keith’s word. And for a Mom that decided to Believe God and do the painful work for the sake of Freedom.
Oh Beth, I wish I could hug you.
You take the time and Throw Your Burden.
I love you!
We love you!
-kd
Romans 15:13
Beth,
Thank you for sharing your deepest heart cry. We know you are hurting and have no expectations of you!! As you throw your burdens it encourages us to do that as well! You are loved, BELIEVE it will all your heart!!!!