All Aboard!

“If there is a load
You have to bear
That you can’t carry,
I’m right up the road
I’ll share your load
If you just call me.” (1972) “Lean On Me” Recorded & Written By: Bill Withers

Sometimes in life, a picture truly paints a thousand words. At other times, a picture is not so much a canvas painting, but rather a mirror, reflecting the depths of one’s very soul.

Before you scroll away, just know this isn’t a political post, or even a blame-game for pundits to chew on. Keep reading.

In case you’ve been living in a cave, you might not know there are literally hundreds of cargo ships anchored off the coasts of the United States. Some have been there for many weeks now, while others just arrived yesterday. Their holds are far from empty.

Here’s your Christmas package.

They are all loaded down waiting to pull into our various ports to shed their cargo. Unfortunately, they sit out on the waves unable to come alongside our docks. Stacked up on these ships are everything that’s imported from other countries, toys, clothing, wine, lumber, cell phones, furniture, hardware, etc. Experts, with their heads in commerce and economics, tell us how this issue is a combination surrounding the degrading of supply and demand, inflation, backlash of COVID vaccine mandates, politics, lack of workers to receive and transport the awaiting goods, and more I won’t list here. So, in the end, everything becomes slow and pricey. Supplies become missing from the shelves. Retail businesses, factories, and restaurants are forced to lay-off workers, or shut down. And of course, we, the consumers, feel the pinch. It’s truly a first in U.S. history.

There are moments in my life when a visual grabs me. Does it seem possible that one can feel emptied by a full load of heavy burdens? Yes, at the risk of creating an oxymoron, when emptied, heavy cargo seems to be the cause.

Like the loaded down cargo ships, my burdens tend to keep me out to sea way too long. How about you? Yet, unlike the vacant commercial ports keeping the captains waiting within U.S. waters, there is one dock waving His arms with the invitation to pull up anchor and head for land,

When I am so loaded down with depression, anger, sadness, anxiety, uncertainty, uneasiness, unrest, and tons of inventory which doesn’t belong on my back, Jesus reminds me of His everlasting arms. He has the eternal ability to not only guide my ship into port, but unload the poundage which keeps me adrift.

When needing a safe haven of rest, look no further than fuel for the race.

“Come unto me, all of you who labor and are forced to bear burdens, and I shall give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am peaceful and meek in my heart and you will find rest for your souls.” -Jesus- Matthew 11:28-29 (Aramaic Bible In Plain English(

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