I'LL DO THE HEAVY SHOVELING

Another snowstorm, another Saturday of shoveling, this has been a winter to remember, so far.  Once again, winter coat, gloves, earmuffs and a snow shovel in hand, I stepped out to clear the driveway of its fresh coat of snow that had fallen overnight.  Fortunately, it has been so cold that the 3 inches of snow was light and fluffy.  The one thing I hadn’t counted on, however, was the 35 mph wind that had created hard packed, 2 foot drifts along one side of the snow piles.  Tackling the biggest drifts first, I shoveled until my back hurt and my arms ached and still I had only cleared about 1/4 of our long driveway.  Walking out, carrying the other shovel, Steve said, over the roar of the wind, “Honey, I’ll get the heavy stuff, you go clear the lightly covered surface.  Thankfully, I went to where I could push the snow from side to side, quickly clearing my portion of driveway, while Steve shoveled the heavy drifts and chunks of hardened snow.

Many times, the “winds of life” roar, blowing our trials, burdens, and problems into hardened drifts.  With a “shovel” in hand it seems we face a daunting task and sometimes have no idea where to start shoveling.  Other times we work until we are exhausted, tossing aside every solution, despairing of ever finding the answer.  I wonder how many times we have missed the voice of God gently speaking over the roar, “I’ll get the heavy stuff; you take care of the lighter burdens.”

Matthew 11:28-30 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

When life becomes overwhelming, I have a dear friend who always says, “Its ok God’s got this.”  We were not created to shovel the “hardened chunks” in our life, so why do we?  Whatever you are facing; whatever storm you are presently going through, you don’t have to “shovel” alone.   Jesus says, “Come to me and we’ll trade.  You take the light load; I’ll get the heavy stuff.  I’ve got this!”