Like a handful of Feathers

I was walking one morning this week with our dog, Jack, through a local park. A father was there with his two sons. The oldest looked to be about seven or eight, while the younger one appeared to be about four. The father was kicking the ball, first to one and then the other, while each of the boys kicked it back in turn. They were all having a great time. Jack and I walked around the park, coming back once again to the scene of the father with his sons. They were obviously packing up. The four year old was trying to pick up their bag of gear but couldn’t quite manage it. He grunted and huffed, but no matter his attempt, he could not lift the heavy bag. That’s when Dad came over, smiled at his son, and lifted the bag with great ease. That’s when a vivid picture came to mind.

I suddenly imagined myself struggling with a heavy burden. I could not lift the bag of worry no matter how hard I tried. Then, in my mind’s eye, my Heavenly Father reached down and picked up my worries as if they were merely a handful of feathers. I Peter 5:7 tells us to, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 

You and I can be burdened with many worries in life. We have a problem, and with all the thinking and scheming in the world, we can think of no solution. We fret. We lose sleep. We become irritable. Of course, none of this is necessary. We have received the very best guidance on matters of burdens. We can give them to our Heavenly Father. He is willing to ease us of our stress, longs to do so, but never forces Himself. He waits for our invitation. He wants us to come with readiness of heart to quickly give Him our problems. Then with the greatest of ease we sense our Father lifting our heavy burdens from our loaded shoulders.

Our God is able. He is mighty. He can solve any problem. Nothing is too hard for Him. He has perfect wisdom to guide us along the best paths and to give us His strength to walk in the way He leads. We only need go to Him. Ask His help. Watch Him lift the heaviest burden, replacing it with His own peace of heart. Remember, the worries of the entire world are like mere handfuls of feathers in our Father’s capable hands.