Deep-Rooted (Part 2)

Devin and Kevin McCory were identical twins from a rural area in North Florida. They weren’t always motivated individuals growing up, but they began to see that they had more intellect than they had given themselves credit for as they grew older.

They both went to a small college in Columbus, Georgia and shined among their peers. They were well-liked and active in the community. Like most things in their lives, they attended Columbia University together and acquired their Masters degrees in Business.

A decade later, the brothers had grown a small business into a multi-million dollar investment firm. The twins had achieved so much success at this point that they now worked diligently to invest in the dreams of others.

One day, two Mexicans by the name of Jose and Miguel showed up to see the twins about a financial venture that would require the financial backing of which the twins could provide. The two men brought along with them two hand-size containers and two pieces of rope. The twins were taken aback by the simplicity of what the men were about to introduce and could not begin to understand what business could result from this meeting.

Jose and Miguel told Devin and Kevin of a tree that grew in the Chihuahuan Desert along the U.S.-Mexican border. The tree is short in stature, yet the two men discovered great use for the tree. Its use was discovered when Miguel had suffered heat exhaustion while he and Jose were in the desert. Jose new that Miguel would burn badly if they remained stationary for an extended period of time.

As Miguel lay by a small tree, he noticed the tree had a shiny exterior and was slick to the touch. Miguel then called Jose’s attention to the tree. Jose touched the tree’s bark and a slick resin was now on his fingers. Jose began to rub his fingers together and the resin was smoothly absorbed into his skin. Jose took both of his hands and grabbed the tree, saturating his hands with the resin. He then began rubbing the substance onto Miguel’s body. Miguel felt instant relief from the blistering sun. Not only did he feel instant relief, but his skin had begun to heal by the time they reached their village.

Because they could not uproot the tree, they cut one of its small limbs for further inspection. Miguel made a small rope from the trees’ exterior skin and realized that the rope was stronger than any he had ever seen. They began to collect the resin and skin from the trees and sale it as sun protectant and rope.

The twins were now interested. They applied the resin, which had now been made into a cream, onto their skin and loved it. Miguel and Jose allowed the twins to pull on a tiny little rope that would have surely snapped had it been a regular rope, but they were unable to break the rope made from this little desert tree.

After Devin and Kevin had flown down to see the trees themselves, they invested a million dollars into Jose and Miguel. They decided to grow the tree in a controlled environment with the help of top-notched Dendrologists (i.e. tree scientists); The trees would no longer have to work so hard to find water sources and the soils will be saturated with nutrients.

Three years later, the small trees that grew in the desert had grown beautifully with the help of the twins. They were three feet taller than those that had grown in the desert. The twins were elated by the success of their scientists; Miguel and Jose were not as pleased

Because of their extensive experience with the trees, Miguel and Jose knew that something was not right. Although the trees had grown exceptionally well, the resin from the tree was not the same texture or as plentiful. When they tested the strength of the rope, it snapped under pressures that wouldn’t have done so in the past. The concentration levels in the resin had dramatically decreased and it was worthless as a skin protectant.

Miguel and Jose explained to Devin and Kevin that the tree should have been left alone. The trees useful gifts were made so by its daily struggle in the desert sun. GOD placed it there and did not remove it. He allowed the trees to evolve in the desert by being so deeply rooted, that they were able to tap into a water source deep below the desert surface.

The constant exposure to the blistering heat caused caused the trees to produce the resin they could shield themselves from the heat. When it was placed in a lush environment, absent its adverse conditions, the trees lost their initiative to produce the potent resin; the lack of struggle for the trees produced a rope with no strength.

You see brothers and sisters; our struggles are not in vain. Like these special trees, there is purpose in our struggle. There is strength in our struggle. We must take deep roots in our Lord and Savior and allow him to reveal our purpose.

Isaiah 55:9 says, "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

This is GOD telling us that his plans for our lives are greatly intricate, possessing profoundness far beyond our human understanding. Our job is to remain steadfast in our faith in HIM. It’s not always in the plan for us to understand HIS workings, but our trials are always somehow to our benefit and His Glory!

Bible verses for you today:

⁷ The things God showed me were so great. But to keep me from being too full of pride because of seeing these things, I have been given trouble in my body. It was sent from Satan to hurt me. It keeps me from being proud. 

⁸ I asked the Lord three times to take it away from me. 

⁹ He answered me, “I am all you need. I give you My loving-favor. My power works best in weak people.” I am happy to be weak and have troubles so I can have Christ’s power in me.

My prayer for you today:

Heavenly Father, we have cried out to you to remove us from our trials, not knowing that Your Spirit remains powerful within us during these times. Lord we ask that you strengthen us that we may endure our troubling times and that Your works and will be manifested in our sacrifices. We have faith in Your plans for our lives and we seek only your refuge for endurance. In the Jesus, Amen…

By: C.D. McCloud

Deep-Rooted (Part 1)

Sitting at my bedroom window, I watched the deep grey clouds approaching from the south. The sun was still shining directly above my location. The winds began to slightly flutter the leaves of the trees and the smell of rain permeated through the air.

As the clouds moved closer, the winds became stronger. Deep, yet mellow rolls of thunder began to cover the area and slight vibrations shook the earth. Flashes of lightning lit the skies as the heavy rains begin.

The winds became strong and violent and the trees swayed vigorously back and forward. Every tree seemed as though it were seconds from snapping or being uprooted.

When the storm passed, I was eager to go outside and assess the potential damage to the trees. There were a few that had been snapped and a couple that had been completely uprooted and toppled over. I couldn’t help but wonder why some of the trees were damaged and others were perfectly okay.

In that instant, the Lord spoke to my heart and gave me a message.

Brethren, we are like trees of the earth. The Lord allows us to have good days where we bathe in the sunlight and then there are others where storms inevitably approach our lives. As trees, we know and understand that storms are accompanied by violent commotions, yet we need the rain that is also associated with the storm.

Fret not. GOD is the answer to us as he is the tree. He offers salvation and refuge during the storms. He does not remove the tree from the path of the storm, yet he equips it to withstand the storm.

He gives the tree an opportunity to be deeply rooted into the earth where it draws its strength. He gives us an opportunity to be rooted in HIM, the central source of strength for all things. He gives the tree elasticity where it bends but not breaks. He also allows us to bend through our storms, but he graces us with relief by allowing us to relinquish the burdens of our tumultuous storms. He provides the tree with a protective bark to withstand the dangerous debris the tree faces during the storm. He provides us protection by offering the full armor of GOD.

You see, if we are ill-prepared for the storms on the horizon, we are like the slim tree, with a shallow root system, and a weak exterior bark.  As Christians, we must immerse ourselves into all that GOD offers us in preparation for the storms. This will give us the strength to withstand the bend instead of succumb to sin. That is, we will sway during the storms instead of being snapped or toppled by the violent commotion the storm has to offer.

Today’s Bible verses:

1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

² Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

³ Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

My prayer for you today:

Heavenly Father, as we root ourselves in You, our rock and foundation, we ask that you continue to carry us through our storms. We thank You for being our refuge during our troubling times, and praise you for returning us to sunshine. In the midst of the storm, we know that it too must obey you. In the name of Jesus, Amen…

By: C.D. McCloud

Acknowledgement

For those of you who have read my devotionals, you will know that I seek to do GOD’s work in the form of short stories to enhance the comprehension of all our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Today, GOD has placed something else upon my heart to share with you. This is an actual experience of my own that I want to share with you today; an epiphany or a divine revelation if you will. Bear with me.

As my family and I arrived to church yesterday morning, there was an immediate feeling of relaxation that came over me. There is something special about stepping into the house of GOD. As you enter and inhale the familiar aromas of the sanctuary, there’s a feeling of safety and calm which I’m sure many of you can relate to.

Something happened to me yesterday that doesn’t happen on every visit to the house of GOD. As I returned to my seat after giving my offering, I took notice of a gentleman in a wheelchair. This gentleman is at church every Sunday, in the same wheelchair, and in the same spot along the aisle. This particular Sunday, GOD opened my eyes and truly allowed me to see this man.

As I sat down, the image of this man circled my mind like a whirlwind. This man, who was obviously a paraplegic (i.e. paralyzed waist down), had the biggest and brightest smile on his face. Regardless of his physical restriction, he found a way to give GOD his due praise with what little mobility he had left in his body. I couldn’t help but watch him for a little longer as the service went on. He rocked his head vigorously back and forth and moved his hands in unison with the music, even though his arms were bound to his chair. My soul was moved.

Though my soul was moved, it was also grieved. I felt ashamed before GOD. This man would probably do anything to stand and walk about the church as I had, yet his joy was above anything physical, miniscule, and of this world. He could have been at home sulking or cursing GOD for his condition, but he was at church praising GOD with what little mobility he had left in his body. His smile was sincere and infectious and it humbled me before GOD.

I couldn’t help but think of the many times that I’ve gone to GOD in tears about my perceptions of hard times. I thought about the many times I had complained in the midst of troubles, questioning GOD’s presence during my trials and tribulations. Again I felt small and unappreciative.

Brothers and sisters, today is about the acknowledgement of GOD’s presence. You see, before we were thought about, He’s been present. Long after you and I are no more, He will remain. Most importantly, GOD is present and readily available as you read this.

We have all questioned GOD’s presence at some point in our lives. Why did GOD allow this to happen? Where was He when that happen? Food for thought brothers and sisters… He was in the same place that he was in when we failed to acknowledge his presence. He was in the midst of our children going to and fro from school safely; He was in the midst of us opening our eyes to see a beautiful sunrise; He was in the midst of our morning jogs when others are no longer afforded an opportunity to do so; He was in the midst of our safe commutes to work; He was in the midst of the confirmation of our mortgage and car notes being received. I can go on for days. Praise GOD, because these are things we often forget about when we have the audacity to question his presence during rough times.

The point today brothers and sisters is simply this… When we find ourselves questioning GOD’s presence in our affairs, acknowledge the many times you felt no such need to do so simply because it was evident that He was present! After doing so, you will find that he is present all of the time, yet we often fail to praise Him in the things that we have grown accustomed to. We have reasonable expectations of GOD because of his impeccable track record in our lives, and rightfully so. By the same token, we are spoiled and unappreciative by GOD’s continuous presence.

Today and forevermore, think to acknowledge and exalt Him instead of complain and question His presence in our lives. After all, the fact that you are able to read this devotional, lends proof that GOD was there to see to it that you arose this morning. He is worthy to be praised!

I would like to honor this devotional with the following verses from our Holy Bible:

1 O Lord, You are my God. I will praise You. I will give thanks to Your name. For You have been faithful to do great things, plans that You made long ago.

⁴ For You have been a strong-place for those who could not help themselves and for those in need because of much trouble. You have been a safe place from the storm and a shadow from the heat. For the breath of the one who shows no pity is like a storm against a wall. (Isaiah 25: 1, 4)

My prayer for you today:

Heavenly Father, we come before you today with humble hearts and sound minds, asking that you forgive us for our lack of acknowledgement for all that you are in our lives. We thank you for being present during the times that we sometimes conveniently forget. You are our Father, our beginning and our end, and we honor you with the praise you so richly deserve. Even during our times of unwarranted complaints, we ask that you have mercy on us O Lord. We ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen…

May GOD Bless You All!

By. C.D. McCloud

Slippery When Wet

Johnny is the head custodian at Miracle Hospital in High Pointe, Georgia. He began working at the hospital when he graduated from high school. 20 years later, Johnny now oversees all custodial personnel.

Johnny is a very humble man and likes to mentor his young employees. He even takes time with the new employees that are having difficulty adjusting to the demands of their particular jobs. The jobs themselves are not always the problem; however, doing the jobs safely is often the issue with most new employees. Everyone knows that Johnny is a stickler for safety and doesn’t believe in short cuts.

Lewis, a new employee, was responsible for assisting with floor upkeep. He attended to spills and was responsible for waxing and mopping the floors. Johnny took a particular interest in the responsibilities of the floor technicians. Johnny always says to the new technicians, “The first thing a person sees when they enter a hospital are the floors.”

When Johnny began training Lewis, he explained to Lewis that the number one thing to consider when attending to the floors was safety. Johnny began telling Lewis the same story he had told other floor technicians for years.

 “When I first began as a floor technician years ago, I was young and simply looking for a dollar here and there. When I would wax the floors, my boss would tell me to make sure that I placed the proper caution signs out that clearly stated “slippery when wet”. Not only would he tell me which sign to put out, but he would also show me where they were to be placed and how many should be placed in that particular area. He always said “Johnny, we need to put the signs three feet outside of the wet areas because people tend to walk as closely to the caution signs as they can.” I never understood why so many caution signs were necessary or why we placed them so far outside.”

Johnny went on telling Lewis, “As I continued doing the job, I began to cut corners with the safety aspects of waxing the floors. Then I began training other new employees on cutting corners as well. One day I came down to the second floor to check on a new trainee. I didn’t see him when I got off of the elevator, so I went to go find him. When I turned the corner, I saw caution signs indicating the floor was wet. Not thinking anything of it, I attempted to walk around the area. Instead of walking far outside of the caution signs, I walked closely to them. Little did I know, the new trainee had not put the caution signs in the right place. There were slippery areas just outside the perimeter of the signs, which resulted in me falling and fracturing my wrist. In that instance, it dawned on me why my boss had told me to place caution signs well outside of the wet area. Even though I was warned that the floor was “slippery when wet”, I chose to walk closely alongside caution instead of steering clear of it.

Brethren, how many of us can apply this story to our everyday lives? What I’m referring to today is temptation. We flirt with temptation more than some us would care to acknowledge.

It is said that “There are no falls without a stumble.” The enemy uses our weaknesses to begin the process of stumbling. We as Christians have to be aware of what our weaknesses are and learn to strategically place caution signs around those areas in our lives. When those signs are placed, we must then err on the side of caution. From a Christian perspective, this simply means that we must not only acknowledge the signs for potential danger, but we must navigate our paths safely away from slippery surfaces instead of risking a fall by being in close proximity to the cautioned area.

Food for thought… Is it wise to dangle meat in the face of a lion? Do we stand at the edges of cliffs? Do we handle poisonous vipers? If your answers are no, then why must we flirt with the dangers of temptation? Temptation is merely the slippery substance on the floor, and the enemy uses it to blur the lines of caution. In other words, temptation itself is not sin; however, it is often the facilitator of sin.

Today I would like to honor this devotional with the following Bible verses:

13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 

14 But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 

15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

16 Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. (James 1:13-16)

My prayer for you today:

Heavenly father, our flesh is weak. Strengthen us O’Lord that we may avoid the traps of the enemy. Nourish our souls with a desire to obey your commands. Light our paths in a dark world that we may continue to embark upon our journey to Your kingdom. In the name of Your Son Jesus, Amen…

By: C.D. McCloud

Guilty by Association

Devin came from an inner-city community infamous for its high crime activity. He eventually left his hometown and became the first in his family to graduate from college. Devin received his bachelor’s degree in social work and later acquired a master’s degree in the same educational discipline. Devin took a special interest in troubled young men and repeat offenders of the criminal justice system. This was the case because Devin had a story of his own.

Devin was born to a good family. His mother and father brought him up in a Christian household and taught him and his two siblings the ways of Jesus Christ. Some of Devin’s peers often referred to him as “a stick in the mud” in his earlier adolescent years. Devin did not have many friends coming up; he just kind of kept to himself.

The summer going into his final year of high school, Devin became obsessed with becoming a part of the in-crowd at school. He worked out hard and transformed his physique. He changed up his style of clothing and studied the lyrics and mannerisms heard and seen in rap videos. He went into the neighborhood and started hanging out with the older guys at the basketball courts. Though it was new and uncomfortable being around vulgar language and stories at first, he began to like it and participate.

The kid, who was once a kind and soft spoken individual, gradually began acting a lot like the people he was now hanging around. Devin was finally being recognized in his neighborhood as one of the guys. The guys began to refer to Devin as “D-Smooth” because of his natural smoothness on the basketball court. D-Smooth was now infatuated with his new identity/persona he had created for himself.

One night, Devin wanted to go to the movies with some of his neighborhood buddies and received permission to do so from his parents. Devin’s parents trusted him because they were not aware of his exterior transformations into D-Smooth when he was hanging out with the fellas in the neighborhood.

When Devin arrived at the meet spot where he and his friends hang out, his friends were drinking and smoking marijuana. Devin knew that he wanted no part of this. He just enjoyed the respect he had been receiving from hanging out with the in-crowd. Devin avoided drinking and smoking with the fellas by squinting his eyes as though he had already been smoking before he arrived.

Everyone loaded up and jumped into Marcus’ car, which was the oldest of the group. On the way to the theatre, Marcus failed to come to a complete stop before making a right at a stop sign. The vehicle was pulled over by the local police. The officer could smell both the alcohol and marijuana in the vehicle. No one took ownership of the marijuana and all of the passengers were ordered out of the vehicle. Once separated and questioned by assisting officers, Devin was the only one that opened his mouth to say that the marijuana did not belong to him. Because he did not say whose it was, Devin was arrested along with everyone else. He pleaded his innocence to the officer, and the officer responded, “Guess that makes ya guilty by association then!”

Devin sat in the holding area with all of the others. Devin fell to his knees and did what he was raised to do. He poured out his heart and pleaded for GOD’s forgiveness and mercy. “Lord if you get me out of this, I will never forsake you or my parents’ teachings again.” His friends began to mock him and laugh. “What are you doing D? Man get of your knees fool, you’re embarrassing us man.”

Devin responded, “I thought you guys were my friends. Why didn’t you tell the police that it wasn’t my drugs? Marcus replied, with the approval of the others, “Because we all go down together!” In that moment, the arresting officer overheard the conversation while completing the paperwork. Devin was released from the cell and dropped from the arrest records. D-Smooth became Devin again for good!

Brethren, this story can be applied to our Christian lives on many levels and age groups. When we keep the company of the wicked, we place ourselves in the midst of a cesspool (i.e. an unclean place). When we immerse ourselves in such filth, we began to take on properties of the filth we choose to affiliate ourselves with as Christians. By this statement I simply mean that we cannot be anchored in filth without becoming filthy. Thus, we are filthy by our association with said filth. From a Christian perspective, fools dwell in unclean places and rebuke righteousness.

Often we ask ourselves, how did I get in this mess? The answer is simple… We get into the mess because we make conscious decisions to associate ourselves with the mess. Our Bible asks, “Can a man take fire into his bosom and his clothes not be burned (Proverbs 6:27)?” Our Bible also offers a great solution… “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm (Proverbs 13:20).”

 Circles of gossip, judgement, drunkenness, adultery, immorality, deceit, and evildoers, are all ingredients that create the mess we often find ourselves in. When we take part in such circles, we become guilty associates of the mess of which we are affiliated! Some of us begin to look and smell of drunkenness; some of us speak slander and sound of gossip; Regardless of what good we desire for our lives, GOD’s goodness does not dwell in unclean places. That being said, if we mingle and partner with the wicked, we become guilty by association; not solely because of our association with the wicked, but because of what we become as a result of our association with the wicked.

Today, I would like to honor this devotional with these verses from our Holy Bible:

⁵ For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that   is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 

⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 

⁷ Therefore do not become partners with them; 

⁸ For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.

⁹ For the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true (Ephesians 5:5-9).

Witness to those who will hear GOD’s words; however, it is a necessity that we remove ourselves from the cesspool which hinders the bearing of GODLY fruit.

My prayer for you today:

Heavenly Father, we ask blessings today upon those who seek righteousness. We ask that you strengthen our spirits and that you protect us with the full armor of GOD. Wickedness surrounds us from every side and every angle O’ Lord, but because you are our strength and refuge, we have faith that we will defeat the enemy. Loosen the grips of the unclean, and give us rest in your loving arms. To You be the glory forever and always. In the name of Your son Jesus, Amen…

May GOD bless you all!

By: C. D. McCloud

My Cup Runneth Over

Sister Rebecca is a nun at the Catholic school located in downtown Tawney, North Carolina. During her lunch hour, she enjoys a cup of coffee and frequents the nearby park to feed the ducks at the pond. Because she’s had this routine for years, she became quite familiar with the locals.

There is one woman in particular that stood out to Sister Rebecca among the rest. She sat on the same park bench every day at the same time. She appeared to be homeless and was never seen talking with anyone. One day Sister Rebecca sat by the woman and introduced herself. The woman did not respond nor acknowledge her at all. Sister Rebecca was able to see that the woman’s bag had the name Mattie written on it. Sister Rebecca asked the woman, “Do you go by the name Mattie?” The woman turned to her in puzzlement. Sister Rebecca smiled at her and pointed to her bag. The woman clinched her bag and turned away in obvious annoyance.

As the months passed, Sister Rebecca would approach the bench where Mattie sat and sit with her daily. Though Sister Rebecca would sit and talk to Mattie about her day and tell stories of her childhood, Mattie never responded. One day Sister Rebecca sat with Mattie and asked her, “Mattie do you know who Jesus is?” Like any other day, Mattie did not respond or say a word. Sister Rebecca began telling Mattie the story of Jesus. When Sister Rebecca realized that her lunch hour was coming to an end, she stood as though she were about to leave. In that moment, Mattie reached out and grabbed her arm saying, “Can I walk with you as you finish!” Overwhelmed by joy, Sister Rebecca grabbed her hands and helped her up.

After hearing the story, Mattie had a look upon her face indicative of letdown. Sister Rebecca asked Mattie, “Is there something wrong?” Mattie sighed and replied, “Sister, I have done a lot of bad things in my life. I lost my kids years ago because I was an alcoholic and drug addict. I lost my house and car in the process and sold my body to make ends meet on the streets. I hate myself for all that I have done and often think about taking my life. How is it that I’m worthy to be a follower of the man you speak so highly of?”

Sister Rebecca immediately stopped and purchased a bottle of water from a vender along the way and said: “Mattie you see this coffee at the bottom of this cup, this represents all of the sin from your past. The water in this bottle represents GOD’s forgiveness and the Holy Spirit. When we repent for our sins and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, this is what happens.”

Sister Rebecca slowly began pouring the water from the bottle into the coffee cup. The water slowly began to fill the cup, making the coffee lighter in color. The cup was suddenly full and began to run over, but Sister Rebecca continued pouring. The coffee in the cup was forced over the edges until the cup was filled with only clear water, yet the pouring continued. Sister Rebecca explained to Mattie saying, “Jesus died for our sins that we may receive forgiveness through purification. He pours into our souls the gift of the Holy Spirit, forcing our past transgressions from the cup He has prepared. When our cup is filled, He continues to pour, allowing our cup to runneth over as a fountain to others. You see Mattie, Jesus loves you enough to overrun my cup that it may fill yours!” Mattie fell to her knees weeping profusely, thanking the Lord she had never known.

Brethren, no man is without sin, which is why GOD sent His only begotten Son to bear the cross. But fear not, because there is forgiveness for our sins upon repentance. Our Heavenly Father has no expectation of perfection for man because we are made from a world of sin.

Today, I honor this message with scripture from our Holy Bible:

8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 

9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 

10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 

11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Luke 5:8-11

Have no fear of past transgression, for they are no longer yours. Repent and allow GOD to begin filling your cup.

My prayer for you today:

“Heavenly Father, we have allowed sin into the cups of which You prepared for each of us. We pray that you will offer unto us a steady pour of Your Holy Spirit that our cups may once again be filled with cleanliness. Lord when our cup is full, we ask that You allow them to overrun into the cup of others. Make us fishers of man O’ Lord that we may glorify Your name among those in darkness. In Your son Jesus name, Amen…”

May GOD bless you all today….

By: C. D. McCloud

Heavy Load

There was an older lady by the name of Ms. Heffings who was known for being mean and unpopular with the kids and people in her neighborhood. It is said that she was not always this grouchy, but it seemed that after her husband’s passing, she had become less likeable and more difficult to get along with. Her only son was killed in the Vietnam War, which took a great toll on her as well. Her husband died a few years later from, what some believe, was grief and heartache. Ms. Heffings had no one or any family that ever stopped in to see her. The neighborhood tried to help her out as best possible following her husband’s unforeseen death, but Ms. Heffings’ grief slowly turned to bitterness towards everything and everybody.

All alone, Ms. Heffing had to do everything on her own. She never had a drivers license because her husband was always there to take her everywhere that she needed to go. We used to watch her walk to the supermarket a few blocks away and return carrying those heavy bags to her house. Every time she left out of the supermarket, a stranger would offer to take her bags. Being the mean, socially removed person that she had become over the years, she would always rudely respond “I don’t need your help! I can carry my own bags.” She never even looked back to see the person offering…

As years past, the bags seemed to get heavier while Ms. Heffings’ back and arms grew weaker. One day Ms. Heffings walked outside of the market and felt a shooting pain in her back and immediately sat her bags on the ground. A stranger approached her as she kneeled with her sight to the ground, placing her hand on her ailing back. The stranger kneeled at her side and asked, “Ma’am would you allow me to carry your bags? It appears to be quite burdensome to carry such a heavy load in your current condition.” Tears slowly trickled from her eyes. Her pride had finally given into her pain. She said to the stranger, “I have denied help with carrying these bags all these years, and my back now screams for relief. Though I have denied the assistance of many strangers over the years, I’ll take you up on your offer today son.” In response, the stranger slowly helped Ms. Heffings to her feet saying, “I have been at this store for years, and it was always I who offered to take your bags. I have done so for many others who have allowed me to carry their heavy loads.” From that day on, the same stranger walked Ms. Heffings home from the supermarket with her bags in tow. Unlike the Ms. Heffings we had come to know, we would see her talking and laughing with that stranger; she was no longer alone…

Brethren, life’s circumstances can sometimes bring us to our knees due to emotional distress, loneliness, and betrayal. We are not above the trials and obstacles that are placed into our paths. We sometime fall into the traps set forth by the enemy. We cannot allow these things to wear us down and break our spirit. GOD is not unaware of our burdens here on earth, and He knows that the weight of such burden can place our spiritual evolution in jeopardy. We can choose to give in to our burdens or we can hand them over to our greatest resource, whom is adequately equipped to handle the weight of our troubles.

I am honored to share with you four scriptural readings from our Holy Bible:

28 “Come to Me, all of you who work and have heavy loads. I will give you rest.29 Follow My teachings and learn from Me. I am gentle and do not have pride. You will have rest for your souls. 30 For My way of carrying a load is easy and My load is not heavy (Matthew 11:28-30).”

”Give all your cares to the Lord and He will give you strength. He will never let those who are right with Him be shaken." (Psalms 55:22).

Brethren, release your burdens today because they were never meant for us to bear. The weight we carry is weight we have chosen to carry. There is relief in Christ. When we relinquish our heavy load, we are afforded an opportunity to walk upright in our Lord and Savior. Do not carry an unnecessary burden any longer. Turn over your heavy load to Christ…

My prayer for you today:

"Heavenly Father, the world is a difficult place and it can be overwhelming. Thank you for your willingness to take on my burdens by lifting my heavy load. Without you O’ Lord, we are but mere objects defeated by all the evils that seek to consume us. Greater is he that dwells in the Lord. We welcome you into the inner depths of our being O’ Lord and ask that You rid us of all dead weight. In the name of Your Son Jesus… Amen!"

May this message bless you all….

By: C.D. McCloud