Cast Your Cares

The balloon rises into the air, bobbing near the tree branches.

God wants us to give Him our cares. (I Peter 5:7) But sometimes a sorrow does not diminish with time. Sometimes unforgiveness or anger is not replaced with peace. Sometimes a situation becomes overwhelming, consuming our thoughts, dominating every waking moment and robbing us of sleep.

A hand holds the string, as the balloon rises further and further into the air.
As the string lengthens, the balloon becomes smaller, further away.
The balloon seems to touch the clouds.

We pray about these things. We ask God to take these cares; to relieve us of these burdens. We give these burdens to God, asking for peace. And yet, the burdens do not lessen. Our prayers seem ineffectual. Where is the peace of God; where is the care God promises?

Higher still. Surely the balloon will touch the hand of God.

We pray; we ask God to take our burden. But God will not take anything from us unless we give it completely. We ask God to take our burden, but when the prayer is ended, we take back the burden.

Cut the string.