The Weight of the World

Coming to the church today I was treated to the sight of all the kids and their families headed to the elementary school for their first day. Almost without fail, the kids I saw had smiles on their faces. Also almost uniformly, their parents did not.

Why is that?

Some of it could be worry about how the child will do scholastically this year. Then too, there's the social aspect.

For some though, I think the weight of the world began at 7 lbs. 7 ounces.

When a child comes into your life, most people with any clue at all can grasp the enormous responsibility it brings. Tie that to your own "sack of rocks" experiences and boy, you're gonna carry that weight, carry that weight a long time. (Random boomer Beatle reference) :)

So you project forward all the possible dire scenarios even as the gap closes between the outside world and the schoolhouse door.

Someone would like a word with you.

Mark 11:24 (Msg)
That's why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you'll get God's everything.

Just as tightly as you gripped that little one before letting them head off into the classroom, God wants to hold onto you. But He wants to hear your fears, your worries - everything. And as you do that, walk forward in faith. You'll wind up in God's arms.

So pray. Pray over, around and through every action. Pray silently - out loud. Pray when you are alone - with others.

And each morning, gather in a circle, hold your child's hands, and pray that God would give Him everything he or she needs for a great day. You'll be intimately connected to our Father God.

Once you are there, the weight of the world won't be any problem at all.

Oh and grown-ups - it works for jobs too. :)

Grace!

David

This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.