Maybe it’s that I can see the finish line with this year of homeschooling. Maybe I’m just extra-motivated because I can taste the summer break and I’m SO ready for it. Maybe it’s all the responsibilities that I’m carrying.  Maybe it’s that I’m trying to carry them myself. Why do I do that?

Maybe it’s all the pressures: wife, mom, homeschool teacher, pray-er, small group leader, prayer leader, project girl. Where is just Joanna? I’m looking for her, but I’m not finding her.

Yes, I even put parts of my relationship with God on the list. Hmm… That’s telling. Something’s wrong. Something’s not lining up right.  I’ve slipped into “doing” again. Maintaining things (though not very well).  Where is the joy? Where is the life? Where is the uncluttered passion that comes from just God and me getting away together?

Yes, there are responsibilities. Yes, I need to teach my kids. God has called me to that, at least for this season. Yes, I need to be connected with my group of ladies, and I want to be. Yes, I need to prepare for non-homeschool teachings that I’m going to be doing in the near future. But I think I’ve taken some things onto my plate rather than allowing Jesus to continue carrying them.

I think of a comic strip I saw a couple of years ago. It had a man carrying a large bag full of stuff, walking along a road. A man driving a wagon pulled by a donkey came along. He offered to give the man who was walking a ride since he was carrying such a heavy load. The man with the load climbed into the wagon, but continued to “carry” his bag. He didn’t want to burden the man driving the wagon with his heavy bag, so he kept holding it himself. He didn’t see that the donkey was the one doing the work either way. The man carrying his heavy bag was the only one doing extra work.

Why do I act like that man sometimes? I let Jesus carry all of my burdens, then I start to take them back slowly, one by one, as if that will help Jesus out. (Like He needs help carrying it all!) It doesn’t make sense. Jesus is already carrying me WITH all of my burdens anyway. And it’s not heavy for Jesus. He’s the strong one, I’m not.

Rest. Rest is the key. Resting, as Jesus takes on the load that He is able to carry easily. Trusting Him with all the things in my life that need to be done.  If I’m being honest, it’s all stuff that He has given me to do anyway. He never intended for me to take those things and do it on my own. He intended for me to lean on Him. To be empowered by Him to be able to walk out these things.

Do you feel like you’re carrying the weight of the world? Have you maybe picked up some things you weren’t intended to carry? I know I have. Jesus wants to carry them for you and for me.

Lord, keep me in the place of rest. Not inactivity, but rest while I’m walking out those things You’ve called me to. On my own, I can’t even keep myself from picking these things back up. Help me, Lord. I’m desperate for You!  Keep me walking from that place of rest. Living my life from that place of rest. From the place of grace rather than the law. BEING rather than doing.  Will you do that in me? Thank you, Lord, that even now you’re cultivating that in my heart. Thank you that you’re empowering me to rest. Empowering me to be who you’ve called me to be.

Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)

^28-30“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

(emphasis added)

About The Author

Joanna Freeman

Joanna has been married to her perfect counterpart, Jamie, for 15 years. Together they have three incredible boys, ages 11, 9 and 7 and a 5-year-old little princess. Joanna is a full-time wife, a full-time mom, a full-time homeschooler, but mostly a full-time daughter of an amazing Father. She is passionate about helping others understand grace because it has totally transformed her life. She has been in a season of being stretched farther than she thought possible. In her "spare" time, Joanna loves to spend time with her friends, paint rooms, and get projects crossed off her to-do list. She would consider cloning if it was an option!