Too Bad, How Sad

The other morning I told my 2 1/2 year old son, Andrew, "Mommy is just really tired this morning." Andrew quickly replied, "Too bad, how sad!" I was surprised by this response, but chuckled and said, "You're right, Andrew. It is too bad, how sad because Mommy can't just go back to sleep." Honestly, I decided he was right and decided to just get over it. :)

I guess I shouldn't have been so surprised by Andrew's words because, "Too bad, how sad" is something I sometimes say to him. Little ones always repeat what they hear. When Andrew doesn't want to finish his food or whines about an order I've handed out to him, he will say, "I don't want to." Sometimes I will say, "Too bad, how sad." Many times this is followed by an explaination which in turn is often followed by, "Mommy's the boss." :) (I'm brutal, I know!)

P.S. I think the saying most people use is "too bad, so sad", but whatever. That's not what we say at ourhouse! :)

Maybe "too bad, how sad" isn't the most politically correct response. Still, it's pretty effective. He "gets it." He normally doesn't argue his point any further. In fact, today when it was nap time, he said, "I don't want to take a nap." Then, without missing a beat he answered himself, "Too bad, how sad." LOL (I loooooove this kid!!!)

Today, I was thinking about Andrew's very innocent response to my whiney statement of being tired. I thought of how glad I am that the LORD doesn't respond to our groanings in this way.

In Matthew 11:28 Jesus said,

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Then there is I Peter 5:7:

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

I'm so grateful that He wants me to come to Him with all of my weariness, sorrow and burdens. Not only that, He offers a solution. I don't have to bear my burdens alone. He will carry the burden for me. He cares. He hears. He offers me rest.

He is a gentle and merciful Father. A faithful companion. A kind and loving friend. He knows me...the details of my life; my personality; my past. He understands the desires of my heart. He sees my weaknesses, yet He gives me the strength I need to plunge past them. In fact, it is through these very weaknesses, that He proves Himself strong! He upholds me with His victorious right hand. There's nothing that is impossible with Him by my side.

When I go to Him and say, "I'm tired and weary, Lord" He doesn't say, "Well, too bad, how sad" or "Not you again" or "It's too late. You've messed up too many times." Nope, His arms are open and accepting. He listens AGAIN. He is gentle and loving because I am His and He is mine.

Unlike any other friend or comapanion on earth, I know He always has time for me. He is a safe place to run. He doesn't get tired of hearing from me. I can cast my cares and anxieties on Him knowing I can trust Him with my every thought. He will never leave me. He will never forsake me. He won't talk behind my back. He won't turn His back on me...or turn me away.

Think about how cool this is: When you have a personal relationship with the LORD (meanining, you've accepted Jesus Christ as your saviour) you can go to Him, trust Him as a friend, and lay down your burdens anytime that strikes your fancy. He will accept you. You can pray to Him anytime and in any place. You can pray out loud or in the solitude of your own mind...either way He hears because He is God. He walks with you all day, every day. There's no time restriction; no limit on the number of times you can pray. He loves you like no one else does...unconditionally and without limits. He WANTS you to come to Him. Why needlessly carry those burdens and anxieties alone? What an honor and privilige to have the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the One and only God as your Father, companion and friend!!!

Psalm 37:23:

"The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives."

You can go to Him with EVERY:

weariness, longing, fear, burden, thought, question, doubt,

heartache, anxiety, tear, prayer request, dream or

broken dream.

You can even share your:

joy, gladness and praise with Him

...anything and everything!

What are you waiting for?

Your Faithful Friend is waiting!