MERRY-GO-ROUND By Marion Smith

He daily bears our burdens as we drove over the bridge spanning the intercostal waterway we headed straight into St Augustine, Fla. When we got to the heart of town, there was a merry-go-round. How enticing it looked to those who hopped aboard- shiny, exciting and fun, fun, fun. Some children took the ride once, while others stayed on the merry go round for ride after ride. It seemed they were unable to disembark! They just loved the ride so much, they stayed planted on their little plastic animal, having fun. The good news is, they always had a parent with them who finally said…"that's enough!" It is time for you to get off the merry go round.

Life can be a merry go round for people. The enticement of living in the secular life style can be very inviting. The draw to make more, have more, do more pulls people in, and then, unfortunately, makes them dizzy at maddening pace of the endless cycle of life chasing itself. Worries, anxieties and fears can keep you on the merry go round of life, not being able to get off the never ending turning cycle, and not knowing where to go if you do disembark.

Our Heavenly Father is right there, on the merry go round with us, waiting for us to call out to Him for help. He will not insist we get off the endless cycle, but He will lovingly and most willingly take our hand as we make a decision to leave the trappings of the secular world, and instead, follow Him and live by the principles He has given us. God says He loves each of us (John 4:10) and He thinks of each one of us continually (Psalm 139:17,18) How amazing is that!? He is willing to daily bear our burdens (Psalm 68:19) and Jesus will give us abundant life (John 10:10) He has given us the Bible- full of wonderful promises and hope. If you will read it and ask God what He is trying to tell YOU through it, your mind and heart will be opened in a new and marvelous manner.

So if the merry go round of life has gotten your head in a spin, take the hand of our loving heavenly Father and step into each tomorrow with Him. He is waiting for you to cast all your burdens upon Him. He is more than able and is willing to shoulder them for you and give you guidance each step you take.