In our neck of the world we have snow, plenty of it, along with slick icy roads.  We are supposed to get warmer weather in the next few days, although freezing rain is predicted for later today and into the night.  But, after that we can see the snow leaving us – for a bit.

We shall see.

We had a delivery driver say he couldn’t make it up the driveway with the snow and low branches.  The branches on neighbors’ trees were hanging even lower because of the snow.

However, they needed pruning back and it got done.  Poor Josh, he and Deed were coming up for a few minutes and he ended up helping with the trimming. 

I always have mixed emotions, they do hang over our driveway but they create a problem by scraping the vehicles – and I hate to cut them back since they aren’t our trees.

ALSO, the lower branches help make the driveway less visible and as we drive up it, like we are leaving the world behind. 

The delivery has been changed to Saturday, if he isn’t able to come up we have an alternative and will use it.  If it was me I would put chains on, although we have not had difficulty getting up and down with studs on the tires. 

Carla was late to work today, I got a call from the store – she is never late.  But, the roads were full of ice as was the parking lot – she is no dummy, she knows how to drive in this stuff CAREFULLY and if it takes a bit longer so be it.  Usually she leaves in plenty of time, but got tied up with finding something for Celinda.

It has been a long time since we have had a five year old in the house for any length of time.  We get to have her here for a week along with Mom and Dad. 

Great to have them.

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Mathew 11:28    KJV  “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Rest, although we equate that with sleep, or just sitting back and relaxing, letting our bodies and mind recuperate.  There is more to it then that.

But all too frequently we can’t forget what has happened in the past, or what we haven’t been able to accomplish or have to do and the stress just builds.

We practice ‘relaxation’ techniques and while they may seem to work for a time, the pressures come back.

But there is a difference when we come to God and ask for His rest.  The techniques of praise and worship take us out of ourselves, but it isn’t the same as laying our burdens on Him and then LEAVING them there, with HIM.

While I don’t remember the circumstances or what my concerns were I remember someone saying they watched me.  I went into the church, knelt at the altar and prayed, for a lot longer than I realized.  I walked away with a lift in my steps and the person said they couldn’t believe the difference, and asked what happened?

I left those concerns at the altar with God.  The problem was still there, but it was insignificant and I knew that God had it in control.  The weight on my shoulders was gone, I mean GONE, it was an amazing feeling – and obviously noticeable.

I wish I could say I have always done that when I have had difficulties, I can’t.  I forget, way too often.  I let it drag me down, even when I remember in the o dark thirty hours of the morning when I wake up and can’t get back to sleep.

Now, in that situation I just start praising and worshiping (silently – Carla appreciates that) my God and before I know it I have slept several hours.

But, still, there is a difference between praising and worshiping Him, relaxing in Him and leaving our cares to Him.

The first is easy, the other requires us to truly depend on Him and leaving our cares to Him while we go back out into the world and trust Him.  We sometimes have to remind ourselves we have done that, but when we do, whatever is concerning us becomes less of a problem and more of faith in our God.

Now, if I can just not only remember that, but take the time to share with Him cares He already knows I have, and then truly leave them with Him.

It is a struggle for me, I want to be in charge, I want to take control – but, I need to take to heart “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Later, Art (-: