Today’s devotional courtesy of Alistair Begg entitled ‘He Will Carry You.’

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The story is told of a pastor who was moving his study to his new home—and therefore had to relocate his library of hundreds of books. But he was not without help. He had brought his four-year-old son along with him to carry some materials up the stairs. Not wanting to overtax the boy’s small frame, this father had given his son a sheaf of papers and a couple of magazines to bring up. But as the pastor was coming back down the stairs, having just deposited a tall stack in the study, he heard his boy crying halfway up the stairs.

He rushed over to his little boy and found him struggling with a huge, oversized concordance. The father said to the son, “I never gave you this to struggle with. I never meant for you to carry such a heavy thing by yourself!” He then picked up his boy, picked up his boy’s problem, and carried them both up the stairs.

How often we struggle with so much that God never gave us to carry on our own! We decide that we’d rather worry about this or fret about that, when God is not asking us to bear any of our burdens alone. Our Father desires that we cast all our anxieties on Him (1 Peter 5:7). Whether it is directly through the work of His Spirit or whether it is through the burden-sharing love of His people (Galatians 6:2), He wants to take you and your problems and carry both.

Picture that pastor picking up his son and his son’s burden. Isaiah presents us with just such a picture of our God: one who is not only willing but also fully able to help us in our time of need. We have no cause for worry, fear, or dismay. He has committed Himself to strengthen and uphold us. He promises, “Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save” (Isaiah 46:4).

What burdens are you carrying today? You have a God who is always near and infinitely strong. He will help you. He will carry you. All you have to do is ask Him.

Today’s Updates:

Zach had a good week this week.  He has been consistently eating most of his meals and snacks, and he has often been in a good mood. Zach has enjoyed playing games like picking up mini beanbags and placing them in a mini corn hole game this week. Zach has also been less agitated this week, only resisting regular care a few times, and generally remaining calm for the rest of his care. Please join us in thanking God for Zach’s improved appetite, good mood and calmness. Please pray that Zach will have more good weeks like this moving forward and that he will find joy in each day.

It looks like Zach will wait another two weeks or so before his transfer to AgeCare Seton for long term care. They still have to install a suction machine in Zach’s new room, and the ward he will be moving to has an influenza outbreak that will hopefully resolve in the coming weeks. Please pray for a smooth transition to Seton once Zach is able to be transferred, and pray that he will receive the care and supports that he needs.

Zach was not as sleepy this week, only sleeping through the morning a couple of times. Please pray that God will continue to grant him enough sleep and energy, especially so that he will be able to wake up on time to attend church on Sundays.

An orthotic clinician came on Tuesday to cast Zach’s wrist so that they can make him a custom day splint. Ideally, Zach will be able to wear this splint on his left wrist to extend his wrist while keeping his fingers and thumb free so that he can use his hand for regular activities like picking up objects. It will still be a few weeks before Zach receives this new splint. In the mean time, Zach’s occupational therapy team is working on heat and stretching treatments for his wrist to try to maintain his range of motion. Please pray that God will bless these treatments and grant Zach functionality in his left hand.

Please continue to keep Zach in your prayers. Pray that he will enjoy each day and feel safe and calm. Pray also that he will be able to communicate his needs clearly to us and that his ability to communicate through his eye tracking device and mouthing some words will improve in God’s timing. Pray most of all that he will know God’s nearness and love for him as he faces each new day. Have a blessed Sunday.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

(Isaiah 41:10)