“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.

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(
Also remember that you have friends and followers out here who are praying for both you and your dear mom.
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Thank you, dear Joy.
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Ah, yes, I like what you were able to draw out here. Thank the Lord He takes our burdens! I was just thinking of you and your mom earlier this morning. Continued prayers, dear friend.
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Burdens are lighter when carried by our Lord (and our friends). Prayers for you and your mom continue.
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Thank you, dear lady.
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That is a very good analogy! I like the way you are able to draw connections between what is going on around us and within us, and remind us that God is always, always there for us!
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True to life post, Alan. Praying for you.
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Great analogy Alan…praying over your mom, you and your wife. I hope all is going well with the adjustments.
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God is always there for us…sometimes we drift a bit in a sea of our own troubles, and we do forget His gracious outstretched arms. It is so easy to get caught up in those threatening waves and turbulent swirling waters…It is good to know that God finds us anywhere, out to sea, or flung up upon a shoreline we cannot begin to understand. I always try to remind myself in these times, that the turbulence will pass. I am praying for you, your wife, and your family. You care so deeply and that in itself is a beautiful thing. When all else seems to be failing, love is the one thing that keeps us going.
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I agree, Linda. Bless you. God’s grip – Alan
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I love that passage of Scripture – the first verse showed up on the church bulletin years ago, the morning I was in labor with my first child. (Blending of God’s reassurance and His sense of humor.) The nice thing about sharing a yoke with Jesus is, He carries most of the weight. And He’s always right there.
God bless you, Alan – and your family.
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Happy Thanksgiving, Annie
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