Balancing Burdens

The Balancing Act- multi-million dollar artwork by Vicky Kaseorg

More fun with my art program! I call this one above "The Balancing Act". It is somewhat appropriate to what I have been grappling with of late. I have been working for Cities4Life about two months now as the Volunteer Coordinator. While I have always worked, most of my life I have been self-employed. My hours were my own. That changes as an official employee. On top of having official hours when I am called into action, I have deep convictions and passion for Cities4Life's mission to speak on behalf of the babies about to be aborted. I find it difficult to limit the hours when literally little babies are dying by the dozens each day at the one abortion center where our teams minister.

So, I easily overextend myself. I suspect that is why I got so sick this past week. I CAN'T give up the things I love -- kayaking, writing, biking, walking, communing with nature...so I HAVE to squeeze those into my new busy schedule as well. But there are limited hours in the day and limited energy to fill them. It is a balancing act that I am still perfecting.

Other than cancer, I have not been sick at all in one and a half years. Until now. I got a WHOPPER of a cold.

I promised my sister Amy I would not move from the recliner yesterday. I abided by that promise. For one thing, I really felt too terrible to leave the recliner. I was able to get some work for C4L done, but I also spent hours writing my new book. I have been so busy with my new role with C4L that it has been hard to find time to work on my novel. However, my sick day was fruitful. My novel is half done, and I was able to solve some significant plot problems with the help of my deputy sheriff niece, Renee, and my good friend Melissa. I have the outline of the rest of the book in place, and writing the last half should be much easier than the first half.

Fortunately, the day of enforced rest seems to have knocked out the worst of the illness. I feel so so so much better. One friend wrote me and told me that my work is necessary and in proper response to God's call, but that a virus is as much an insidious attack by the enemy as any. God can speak to me through the attack.

He did. He said, "REST."


While pondering all that this morning, God brought a favorite verse to mind:

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ 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. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Burdens come in many manifestations. Some are seen, some are unseen but no less heavy. Burdens to the soul are the heaviest of all. Those are the burdens Jesus tells us He can and will remove. So many of us carry those burdens for years without even knowing how much they weigh us down.

I am revitalized with a fresh perspective as I return to the abortion center sidewalks tomorrow. I don't see women calloused and hardened and evil. I see lost souls with a crushing burden they don't know how to put down. Help me Lord. Help me to glorify and magnify YOU and tell them they can, and should give their burdens to you and find rest for their souls.
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Many people struggle to find what they can do to bring meaning, purpose, and worth to a life that feels like it is crumbling. Abiding in God's truths, and following His call is key. Please consider joining us on the sidewalks of the abortion center and being an intercessor of healing, hope, and life through the power of Christ. Email me at vkaseorg@cities4life.com