Not too long ago I had a dream that I was running in a race.  I was struggling, however, because strapped onto my back was a HEAVY black backpack.  As I ran, the pack was so heavy it would pull my shirt back so that the shirt neckline was sort of chocking me!  I kept tugging my shirt in the front to give it some slack, only to have to repeat the process every few minutes.  I was carrying in my hand a way-too-large water bottle as well…and needless to say I was getting frustrated and tired.

I saw a stream up ahead and stopped there to take a break and “readjust” everything I was carrying.  Then it dawned on me, “what’s in this pack anyway?  Why am I even carrying this with me?  Why lug a gigantic water bottle when there’s a stream to drink from along the way?”  I suddenly knew the pack contained nothing important at all and so I took it off and set it down.  I planned to abandon it there and keep racing…and that’s when I woke up.  I admit, I was bummed because I kind of wanted to see myself do well! 😉

I’m not a “runner” by any means…I don’t enjoy it unless I’m running on a court to make a basket… or running after my kids in a game of chase!  I will sometimes run at the gym…but only to burn calories so I can fit in my clothes! 😉  Inside, I’m whining and fussing and anxious to be done!!  Long distance running is SO NOT my thing!  But I do know many people who are runners (my own hubby being one of them) who have trained and run great distances…and I’m sure they would all agree that running a race with a heavy backpack strapped on is a bad idea!

Hebrews 12:1 says, “Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.  And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.  We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.  Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross…”

I’m just going to say it.  I often goof up on my race!  “Often” is probably not even the right word… “frequently” is more like it!  (Gasp!!  I’ve shocked you, haven’t I?!)  😉  While others seem to be racing on ahead…I’m busy strapping on heavy black backpacks full of unnecessary stuff! I’m toting around large bottles of warm “plastic bottle water” when God has provided cool, fresh water for me to drink along the way!

I knew God was speaking to me in that dream.  That darn pack was full of worry over the icky job situation my husband had to face every day, the worry over my kids fighting the flu, keeping up with my messy home, my daughter’s huge book report project, my own lack of energy, planning two kids birthday parties, the stress of keeping up with healthy dinners for my family…and just a million other little cares that when all crammed together in a backpack made for one VERY HEAVY load!  A load that I wasn’t allowing God to carry.  I’m so glad in the dream I found the stream.  I’m glad I took off the pack and laid it down.

I cried that morning.  A good cry…a surrender cry.  “God, I can’t carry all of this.  Even the little things feel heavy at this point!  It’s too much for me and it’s choking the life out of me.   So I’m laying it all down before You now and I’m going to run this race with joy because from now on I’m just going to trust you completely.  When new things feel like they are weighing me down, I’m going to ask for Your help and I’m not going to worry about them.  My eyes are fixed on YOU! :)”

I felt different after that.  Lighter.  I had no idea I’d even been carrying that load…but God knew.  He’s so generous, and He desires only GOOD things for us.  Always!

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”  1 Peter 5:7