BURDENS INTO BLESSINGS

Unable to sleep one night, my thoughts centered on my soul’s weariness from the heavy concerns of these days. “I am SO weary of feeling this grief, worry, despair, and heartache for all who are deeply hurting,” my spirit quietly noted. These thoughts then came to me…

These feelings are gifts. The situations and circumstances are not, but your feelings are. It is better to filled with compassion, and not callous indifference. To be filled with sorrow, and not denial. With worry, and not complacency. With righteous anger, and not resignation. This tenderheartedness is keeping your heart vulnerable for a greater capacity to love.

I eventually fell asleep, feeling grateful for this reminder. With God’s help, the burdens we carry can become our sources of motivation, courage, perseverance, and insight. And as our weariness draws us to seek God’s comfort and peace, we are sustained and encouraged–and then supplied and readied for service.

May this then, be my prayer:

God,

Let me cry a million tears
yet never look away
until I see what I might do
to help someone today,
then turn my focus onto you
and have you lead the way.

Let me feel such deep heartache
and choose to keep it there
until I’ve done all I can do
to show someone I care
by reaching out with peace and hope,
your gracious love to share.

Let me lie awake at night
in depths of angst and fear
until I open up my heart
to trust that you are near;
until I sense your hand in mine,
your whisper in my ear.

Let me find the impetus
within this dark despair,
to stand and speak and write about
what’s true and just and fair,
and as your faithful servant, spread
your goodness everywhere.

Let me hold these burdens, God,
until my heart is sure
to follow where you lead me
and with your help, endure;
for in my deep uncertainty
in you I’m held secure.

(In recent months, I have had quite an increase in “views” of my previous posts. To my readers in North Bergen, Netanya, Santa Clara, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Washington, DC, thank you so much! I would love to know what brought you here! I hope you have been encouraged and comforted.)

Photo by Karen, Hillside in Hurricane