Stuck?
Years ago, I enjoyed a Great Aunt. This aunt was entertaining. She would organize shopping days for the girls in our family and we would spend the day laughing and “Outletting” as she called it.
Later on in life I moved my little family closer to her and began regularly to enjoy time with her after my Great Uncle passed away.
Each time I’d visit Aunt Jane she would be in her “big chair” surrounded by reading material as she worked on her Sunday School lesson. Piles of books and notes, a big comfy chair and a lamp at the end of a long living room where she sat glowingly brighter than that lamp.
Before we had opportunity to meet for early lunches of shared Italian Nachos and cheesecake, my beautiful aunt was stuck. She struggled to let go of an unimaginable burden and that burden weighed on her in ways that were evident then, and in ways that we couldn’t know.
The day that she cast off that heaviness she was like a butterfly emerging from her chrysalis. That’s when her light began to glow brighter and brighter.
Today I remember Aunt Jane as I think of the privilege I have had of strong women in my life. Women who struggled with strength, dignity, and faith. Plus, at this moment I enjoy a comfy chair surrounded by reading material; bibles, study books, notes and journals…I now understand her joy of time spent well and intentionally.
Today’s devotion begs me to cast my burdens at the foot of the cross. I was having a little issue considering my own burden to cast. After all, I’ve learned the value of Psalm 55:22. What about you? Do you feel stuck in a place where you see no way out? I know a savior who can come along and help.
As the sun beams through the window and the cat fights for space with one dog to snuggle in its warmth, the big dog is curled on top of the quilt that covers my feet and together I feel no burden uncast. My lamp glows its light down to the Word that I’m soaking up and I wonder. I wonder if I had a niece that could long to visit me in this space and consider curling up here too. Would my glow be bright enough to entice them to want to know where it came from? How would my passion for this knowledge move them to seek it as well?
Aunt Jane had a full life. It wasn’t always bright and cheery, but that’s how I remember her. Good food, fun time, yummy lunches where we accumulated enough frequent diner points to eat for free, and faith. If she ended stuck on anything it was her faith and THAT is a great place to be.
