Hop, Skip, and Jump

My favorite bible is the Amplified translation. I have several, each one used until tape and hot glue will no longer hold them together. It’s the one I use when I want to hear God’s heart. Enjoy the fullness of Matthew 11:28-30:

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden
 and over burdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve
and refresh your souls.] Take My yoke upon you learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly)
in heart, and you will find  rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet)
 for your souls.
For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good – not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.

Lance Rodgers Art

See what I mean? Look at those words: ease, relieve, refresh, gracious, pleasant…the word that comes to mind is “lighthearted.” I wonder, when was the last time I felt lighthearted?

In my minds eye, I see myself hopping and skipping and jumping.

Or maybe zooming along on my roller skates.

I could do all that when I was ten – now I’m sure I’d kill myself.

But humming, smiling for no reason, walking Ruby with a skip in my step…those I can do. But I tend to carry my responsibilities around with me, like a backpack.

It’s been along time since I felt that carefree. How about you?

Maybe I’d feel more like skipping if, even for a few minutes,  I really shared my burdens with Jesus. Set the backpack down, Sherry! Let Him carry all that stuff. Then I’d be truly lighthearted!

What image comes to mind when you think about being lighthearted?

When was the last time you felt that way?