Nehemiah 4:10 – And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish. (KJV)

As we walked along the new pathway this morning, my dog found many wonderful smells, and to my chagrin, I noticed many discarded items: a shoe, a boot, pens, pencils, wrappers from food, drinks, CDs, bags, boxes. Boxes? Big cardboard boxes: I wondered how they could have got there.

Although we would wish that people would take more pride in their surroundings, some just don't, and with cutbacks everywhere, the money just isn't there any more to pay people to pick up trash. The burden must be borne by the public, and when they don't wish to do it, much rubbish is left lying around.

Using my extra bag, I began to pick up what I could, but my bag soon filled. It just wasn't big enough!

It made me wonder what would happen if God had some sort of bag into which He put our problems each day, and when it was full, not being able to put any more in, He left our prayers and problems to just lie where they were — with us — scattered everywhere.

Sometimes, we feel that's exactly what He does. We pray and pray and perhaps we're so busy worrying that we aren't open to how He has picked up the problems we have given him. No, I think God's bag is big enough for all the troubles that lie within us; we must just trust that it is.

Prayer: Dear Lord, when we have things lying heavy on our hearts and in our minds, give us the wisdom to know that You hear and that you pick up all You are given. Help us to learn to leave it with You, being mindful to listen for Your answer in return. In Your name we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Mary Daniel <marydee@shaw.ca>
Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
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