Dear Ones,
Happy Weekend to you! The sun is shining but it is below zero.  I just got back from shopping and the house is full of aroma as I made a beef/lentil stew that has been simmering. T
Devotions from Judy’s heart
   One morning I went to my computer and found a poem that our friend David had just written concerning his wife with Alzheimer’s. Most of us know someone with Alzheimer’s and it is a hard road for the caregiver as they see their loved one gradually diminish. David shared his latest poem and the verses from Matt.11:28-30 that God gave him to lift his burden. When I went to my devotional book right after, there was the same verse God had given to another author who carried a heavy load; maybe He wants to give those words to us today.
   David shared how when he was only 7 or 8 years old, his father took him to a steam engine show where he saw a pair of cattle harnessed together. He explained to him how the yoke enabled the cattle to work together so the burden was shared and more was accomplished than if by themselves.
May his following poem help lift your load, whatever it would be.
             ” HIS YOKE IS LIGHT
As a caregiver for a loved one, you may experience complex emotions that never go away. 
The physical strain may be so great you wonder if you can make it another day. 
I will never forget when the neurologist told us she had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.  
Tears of fear filled her beautiful blue eyes, we held each other’s hand, and I said all we could do was pray, and I felt like dropping to my knees.
 
 We needed the perfect bible verse as the dark storm clouds were fatal and low.
Jesus, please help; we do not know which way to go.
We found ourselves in a sea of emotions lacking islands and shore; could we hear if Jesus spoke?
A verse came as I remember my father explaining how early farmers used yokes.

 Matthew11:28-30 (NABRE) “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

 This was the perfect verse to lift his spirit and he changed the title of this poem from His Yoke is Light to His Yoke is Love. He said that the love of Jesus is the perfect solution for our earthly journey.
Challenge for today: Yoke yourself in simple faith to Him who is love and experience rest!
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy