“When Caring Is The Burden”

He held gift-flowers in his hand last night
(A pot, that is, compared to boulder, light),
To stand for burdens we all tote around;
He said in Scripture, twelve types could be found.

In my case, using flowers as a “weight”
To cast off, worked quite well, for Goodness’ sake –
He held up three or four to keep in sight;
Said he’d address the other ones some night.

In my case, he said as a kid in church,
They had a contest – memorized a verse
Of Scripture, but in error he had said,
“Cast ‘Cares’ not ‘Care’ on Jesus” (what he read).

I’ve come to see that when it comes to words
In speech, or writing, reading, what we’ve heard,
There are no “Errors”, just a way to see
Into a mind’s subconscious (Jubilee!).

Freud also noted that – we make a “Slip”,
Which speaks to others far more than our lip
Articulates – and that’s the source of fun –
Comedic instincts click in ’till they’re done.

In my case, it’s the plural “S” he read,
Misquoted Scripture in the word he’d said –
For “Cares” are mostly burdens which we bear;
While singular expresses kindly “Care”.

The anecdote resolved conundrum mine
(In Watchman Nee you’ll one more instance find,
Where “Sin” (as one) speaks of “Rebellion” mine
From God; with “Sins” – “specifics done through time”).

I knew our cares and worries Christ would take,
But here the preacher said that one could make
A full surrender – also turn our “Care
For others” onto Jesus – find rest there!

I had not noticed that part of the text –
That Jesus does the caring-part the best,
And as His body-member he’ll express
His love for someone through us, so they’re blessed.

No more must I stick-handle universe,
And care for one and all, with love dispersed
So thinly that it’s really chicken feed
Compared with Jesus’ way of meeting need.

The preacher said, some speculate that Paul
Got sick because of what he’d done (found all
He could who followed Jesus, had them jailed,
Or killed by mob, like Stephen) – felt he’d failed.

Another speculates that Paul got ill
When care for distant churches seized his will,
And he attempted to address their need,
Instead of letting other people feed –

Those hungry souls, as other “Body-parts”;
Christ told him, “Back off – give Me room to start
To feed them – My way – grace for all I give
Through many means of grace – so all can live.

’Course Paul, in killing Stephen, showed his care
For faith he knew and loved – tried to repair
The damage done by radicals like Christ;
Then saw his error – changed his ways – turned nice.

Thus whirled my mind as I heard anecdote
About the contest held – then I awoke
To implications for my burdened life –
“Turn caring over – better done by Christ.”

A “Team sport” caring is – that’s “Care” not “Cares”;
Christ’s body-parts are “gifted” – Paul compares
Christ’s body to one’s eyes, and ears, and hands;
So different needs get care that under-stands.

Compassion-people really struggle here,
Feel drawn to show their care to all, though clear
It’s more than they can meet alone (I guess!!);
“Cast care on Jesus – body-life is best”.

Then do the task of caring you’re assigned;
Leave all the rest with Jesus, who will mind
The other’s needs through people who respond
As His one body, here and far beyond –

What we could ever hope or wish to do;
A unity we are – that’s nothing new;
But letting Jesus show His love through us,
As we’re assigned by Him, avoids the fuss –

Of dissipation, illness, burdened souls –
Just do our part, it’s team that reaches goal;
Thanks Lord for error in that childhood game;
With burden gone, my life’s no more the same.

Thanks Lord for this.

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