A Widow's Story: What's In Your Backpack?

by Darlene O'Lena

While doing my devotions this morning, I actually said to God “Lord, I’m SO tired of everything.”

As I sat there thinking of all I have to do today and things on my mind, God gave me an image so strong that I couldn’t ignore it. I pictured a backpack overflowing with LARGE rocks.

On each rock was a label… “Finances”, “Family”, “Work”, “Health”, etc.

In my mind, I pictured myself picking up this heavy backpack every morning and throwing it on my back, overloaded and weighted down. Then, walking thru the day, actually TRUDGING from the weight of this load on my back, only to take it off at night and picking it back up the next day.

Wearing this backpack really takes a toll….. body aches, tiredness, tears sliding down my cheeks, irritability, depression, sleepless nights. Well, no wonder, with a load on my back THAT heavy every day.

That isn’t what God wants for our lives at all ! Didn’t Jesus say “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”? (Matthew 11:28) and, also, “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:30).

He really doesn’t WANT us to carry this around on our backs every day. He wants us to give every one of those rocks to HIM. Empty that bag out at His feet and let HIM take care of it all.

I admit, I have a problem with giving it all to Him. I pretty much have learned to take care of myself, and, in my human nature, still want to take care of EVERYTHING. But, it’s taking its toll. So, I am going to work at keeping that backpack EMPTY.

After I empty it out and hand all the rocks to Jesus, I’m going to keep that backpack on the chair next to where I do my devotions in the morning, reminding myself to keep it EMPTY. It won’t be easy at first, but God will teach me…. 

Father God, thank you for reminding me of this today. Help me and others to “unload our backpacks” today and not fill them back up. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Thank you for sharing this wonderful devotional with us Darlene. Readers, if you missed out on Darlene's mission trip to Rwanda last year I know you'll want to catch up by checking out this link:
A Widow's Journey to Rwanda
Rwanda, Day One
Rwanda: The Rest of the Story