Carried

When I was a little girl, I used to stick all sorts of things, er - treasures, in my pocket and carry them around.  Most of the time it was an acorn, or dandelions, or a pretty little pebble. Sometimes a blue spotted salamander, or little grass snake would end up being carted around the yard in my pocket, and wind up somewhere in the dirty clothes pile at the end of the day (much to my poor mother's dismay). 

Maybe it was the beautiful sunny morning we are having today - a perfect spring day, much like the ones where I would hop out of bed early and go exploring in the back yard to see what I could find to safely store in my pockets. It made me think of how I used to (used to - who am I kidding?) gather my little trinkets for safekeeping.  Yes, I still pick up pretty stones, carrying them around until I can show my kids, or put them in one of my jars that hold the evidence of many a thoughtful moment.

This morning, I got to thinking about how my "thousands of pebbles" - the ones that represent my trials - tend to get carried around, too.  Stored in my mind, or heart - weighing me down.  And that is not a good thing.  Many times I let them weigh me down for too long.  I become troubled and worry. What does my Saviour tell me about that?  "Don't let your hearts be troubled" (John 14:1).  In fact the entire chapter of John 14 tells me that He will take care of my past (by going to the cross and saving me from my sins), present (by giving me the gift of the Holy Spirit... the counselor, comforter) and future (he's preparing my heavenly home)!  He's taken care of everything. 

Ev-er-y-thing!

So, I can lay down my pebbles, the ones that weigh me down, and pick up his treasures!  The beautiful things he gives me that bring joy and peace into my life.   I need to remember, too - that sometimes God might pelt me with a "pebble" to get my attention.  And I just might find it to be one of those little sparkly ones - the kind that I can carry around in my pocket for a while, as a reminder of the gifts He gives.