Tell It To Jesus

     One   of the precious little boys I take care of was going through a very hard time with separation anxiety. There were so many tears, and we were spending lots of time in the old rocking chair. I often sing to him when we are rocking, and after almost wearing out some children's songs, I started singing "Tell It To Jesus" to him.

Are you weary, are you heavy-hearted?
Tell it to Jesus, Tell it to Jesus;
Are you grieving over joys departed?
Tell it to Jesus alone.

     He seemed to like it, and when I went back to sing something else, he said he'd already heard that before! So I went back to singing "Tell It To Jesus" over and over again, countless times throughout those rough days. His blues have been pretty much rocked away, most of the tears are gone, and we don't spend as much time in the rocking chair, but I find I've been very touched by the song. I sang it so much, it was constantly going through my head, and I really started to think about it.

Do the tears flow down your cheeks unbidden?
Tell it to Jesus, Tell it to Jesus;
Have you sins that to men's eyes are hidden?
Tell it to Jesus alone.

     I was kind of amazed and ashamed at how many things I struggle with that I never even think of telling to Jesus. When I have bigger trials that I'm crying my heart out over, and have no idea how to cope with, of course, I take it to the Lord, then. I plead for help, and tell Him it's too big for me to handle alone. But with so many little things, I often just simply forget to tell Him, or to ask for help.

Do you fear the gathering clouds of sorrow?
Tell it to Jesus, Tell it to Jesus;
Are you anxious what shall be tomorrow?
Tell it to Jesus alone.

     So many times I've been so frazzled and weary, and never really even thought about asking the Lord for help. To me it was just a normal part of life. I'd live through it. I've been that way with so many things.

     But I started to think how sad I would be if others didn't communicate their thoughts and feelings to me. I always want to know how others are, and how they are feeling. Sometimes there is something that I can do to help them. Other times there isn't much I can do, but I still always want to know, because I CARE, and I can always pray.

     Either way, I appreciate it so much when others tell me the things they need. The other day my younger sister called me, and said the baby she was caring for was very sick. She was very hungry, but she couldn't take him out to get something to eat, and every time she put him down he cried. I was so extremely thankful she called to tell me that! I was able to go get her a meal and desert, and medicine for the baby. And I was able to rock and cuddle the baby while she took a break to eat, and talk to a friend. It meant so much to me that she didn't just struggle on by herself the rest of the day.

     God is the same way with us. He doesn't want us to struggle on, and bear what we can by ourselves. He wants us to come to Him with everything and tell Him what we are struggling with, and that we are weary and burdened. And he can ALWAYS help us.

* Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7.

     Obviously God already knows everything, and I'm sure that is the main reason I often just don’t think of telling Him. But often I've known something too, that dearly loved ones were struggling with, but I still wanted them to tell me and talk to me about it. I can often see the suffering in their faces, and see the circumstances that are bringing it about, but until someone feels comfortable with talking about it, it's hard to share the burden with them, because I never want to pry, or pressure someone to talk about something that they truly don't want to talk about. And so I've prayed for them in private, and longed that they would feel at ease enough to spill it all out, so that I could wrap them up in my arms and tell them how much I cared, and that I was praying for them.

     I wonder how many times Jesus has felt the same way about me. I wonder how many times He was waiting with outstretched arms to comfort me and help me with something that I so foolishly never told Him about. How many times have I worried about something I never prayed about. I just stumble hurriedly along carrying the full weight of the burden, not even thinking there is an easier way.

* Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:6-7.

Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus,
He is a friend that's well known;
You've no other such a friend or brother,
Tell it to Jesus alone.

2004 A Sister In Christ