When John Reynolds’ morning was derailed by his toddler and a set of scales, he realised how often we pick up burdens God never meant us to carry—and how to let go
I wonder if you’ve ever found yourself in a teaching moment with your kids and it suddenly dawns on you that the lesson you’re trying to impart to them is one that you have barely learned yourself? Don’t worry, it wasn’t toilet training. I don’t like to boast, but I’ve pretty much nailed that now.
The actual situation happened a few years ago, but it was a moment of revelation so significant, it hit me square between the eyes and has never left me since.
I was in my bedroom one morning, getting ready for the day, and doing my best to remain calm despite being accompanied by the whirlwind that was my then 3-year-old, Areli. I’m not entirely sure who is indoctrinating these kids, but for some reason every single toddler seems to be of the firm belief that any parent who attempts their morning routine alone, must secretly be longing for the moral support and practical help of a little person who cannot even do these things for themselves.
I don’t know about you, but I regularly take on worries, concerns and burdens that aren’t mine to carry
Despite my overstimulation (and subsequent prayers that God would provide my daughter with a mute button) I was being patient and gentle and calm.
I had just washed, finished my (very masculine) skin care routine and weighed myself, and I was now doing my best to get dressed - despite the belly flops, choke holds and body slams that my toddler seemed to have become an expert in overnight. She finally got off me, I sat up, and in the time it took for me to glance down and put my socks on, I looked up to find my daughter bright red in the face, staring at me with horror in her eyes, and pleading:
“Daddy!”
“Help me!”
She was straining with all her might, and I noticed that in her hands were the glass weighing scales I’d just finished using. I jumped up and grabbed them off her, moments before they would have slipped from her grip onto her tiny, three-year-old toes.
Essentially, at 36, I have moments where I’m still just like my 3-year-old, Areli. I still pick up things I don’t need to
As I took them and put them safely away, I said, “Whoah! That was close!”. Half hoping to hear a “thank you daddy”, I turned back and she looked furious with me. With a frown that birds could have nested on, she bellowed “Daddy! Why didn’t you help me quicker?!”
Taken aback, I laughed in shock at her sassy little outburst and then pushed back - “why did you even pick it up? I didn’t ask you too! And it’s much too heavy for you to carry!”
WHAM.
It hit me like a punch to the gut. I instantly found myself wondering…
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How often does God look at me and my life and think the exact same thing?
I don’t know about you, but I regularly take on worries, concerns and burdens that aren’t mine to carry.
I worry about the future. Is my job safe? Is my family safe? Right now, is the world even safe?
I worry about my kids. Am I raising them well? Am I present enough? Am I too present? Will they need therapy because of my shortcomings?
I even worry about Tottenham getting relegated.
What you do when life feels too heavy? What’s your go-to? To whom, or what, do you turn? Because one thing’s for sure - we cannot do it alone
But then I’m reminded of the words of Jesus in Luke 12:25, when he says: “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?”
You see, most of what I worry about is futile. At best, it’s just a waste of time and at worst it can take over my life. It doesn’t often lead me towards problem-solving or action. Most of what I worry about - I can’t solve. Sure, I can work hard at my job and do my best as a husband and a dad, but I can’t solve everyone’s problems, I can’t make the world a safe place and I can’t keep Tottenham in the Premier League (although I actually think I’d be better than some of the Spurs players right now).
Essentially, at 36, I have moments where I’m still just like my 3-year-old, Areli. I still pick up things I don’t need to. I still try to carry things that are too heavy for me to carry. I still hold on to things God’s never asked me too.
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But I’m getting better.
I’m getting better at giving my burdens to him whenever I notice I’ve started to carry things unnecessarily and I’m even getting better at not taking on things God has never asked me to carry to begin with.
I wonder how you find this? What you do when life feels too heavy? What’s your go-to? To whom, or what, do you turn? Because one thing’s for sure - we cannot do it alone.
When we try to hold things that aren’t ours to carry, it weighs us down and leaves us tired, frustrated and ineffective. The good news is we can give them to our good, loving, present Father who is strong enough and capable enough to carry them for us.
Psalm 55:22 says “Cast your burdens on the Lord and he will sustain you”. I have experienced the power of that in my life. I believe you can too
