easy as one, two, three

This is a sweet, sweet guest post by Jenna, the brains and beauty behind Truthcards. 

Read it, be blessed, and show her some love on twitter or her site. 

Thank you, Jenna! 

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I realize that the season that I’m in, having three beautiful, healthy girls that are 1, 2 and 3 is an incredible blessing from the Lord. I also realize that amidst the lovely combination of a husband in ministry (Global Missions, requiring travel at that), striving to raise Godly young women, building a house, having a part time ministry job and running a business from home, stress may abound. These are all gifts from God, so why the stress??

Running is a huge stress relief for me. Just me, my iPod and the road = FREEDOM! Today I signed up for the Cooper River Bridge Run, a 10k run held in Charleston every spring. I’ve done the race several times – the problem is that I’m in the worst shape of my life. With everything we have going on, I typically only have time to run once a week on my Sabbath (yes, running is rest for me!).

Two months is not exactly ideal training time so I decided that I better get my rear in gear. I made lunch for the girls, loaded them into the stroller and started off toward a local family fun park that the girls enjoy. Heading out, I knew that the tires on our stroller were low on air, but couldn’t waste precious time looking for the air pump. My plan was to run to the park, play with the girls for a while and run back. While we were there, a kind park attendant let me use his air compressor to fill my stroller tires. The run back was SO MUCH easier than the way there. I didn’t even realize how much extra weight I had been pushing until the tires were full and the stroller felt light and free.

Just like the stroller, most of us have no idea how much stress we are carrying around. Jesus says, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) There are some basic principles we can find in these verses will hopefully “put some air in your tires” and lighten your load.

1) Go to Jesus. 

If possible, first thing in the morning and continually throughout the day.

2) Continually ask Him 

if what you are doing lines up with His will (His yoke).

3) Learn from Him. Read His Word. 

Ask him to quicken your spirit if you stray from a gentle and humble heart. Don’t ever let pride take over and make you think that you can do more in your own flesh than the Lord wills.

Is having three children as easy as 1-2-3? 

No way! 

But, with Jesus’ help, 

the burden can be light.