MARIE'S MUSES

There are times in life that we, each one of us, have a burden to bear, and quite often it proves to be far heavier than it should be or than it could be, if we would only choose to share it with someone.

Pride, more often than not, prevents us from speaking out to others about it, or admitting that we need help. I have that problem myself. I am more than willing to listen to other people’s problems and offer a helping hand when they need it, but when it comes to needing help myself, or a listening ear . . . I am very reluctant to share it with others. I hold whatever it is that is bothering me close to my chest, like a poker player trying to hide a good hand.

I present to the outside world a face that is happy, and when asked how I am, I say . . . “Very well thanks!” when, in reality, my heart may be in turmoil and inside I may be weeping tears of pain, or frustration or unhappiness . . . unable to share for even  a moment what is really in my heart or on my mind.

It’s not that I think that other people couldn't or wouldn't help, but that I feel that people have enough burdens and problems of their own without me dumping my own on their doorsteps. Besides . . . in the light of all the suffering in the world, and all the problems that other people have to endure . . .  anything that may be bothering me seems petty and of little consequence.

The thought occurs to me this morning, that, in doing so . . . in failing to share . . . I actually prevent others from being able to receive the joy and the blessings that could be theirs from being able to help ease another’s burden or lend a listening ear. Oft-times it is in the  telling of how we are feeling . . . the sharing . . . that we actually receive the very help we need, for somehow, in the telling, the burden actually miraculously eases, even without anyone having lifted a finger. Somehow when the words are out there, whatever the load is we have been carrying, somehow seems lighter.

That’s the way prayer works actually. We get on our knees and we say the words, and we hand it all over to God . . . and then we trust in faith that He will take care of it, or give us an answer or show us the way out of whatever problem it is that we are enduring.

To each one of us comes the invitation from the Saviour . . . "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30)

Perhaps, when we fail to ask for help when we need it, we are really showing a lack of faith both in our God and in our fellow man. From now on, I think I will try to share my worries and concerns, always remembering that there is Someone who has the time and patience to listen and to help. How can I deny the listener the blessings of being able to help or myself the blessings of being able to ask?

One of my favourite hymns is the following. I’d like to share it’s words with each of you this morning. May it bring you the same peace that I feel when I read or sing it.

Master The Tempest is Raging

Master, the tempest is raging!
The billows are tossing high!
The sky is o'ershadow with blackness,
No shelter or help is nigh;
Carest Thou not that we perish?
How canst Thou lie asleep,
When each moment so madly is threatening
A grave in the angry deep?

*chorus:

The winds and the waves shall obey Thy will,
Peace, be still!
Whether the wrath of the storm tossed sea,
Or demons or men, or whatever it be
No waters can swallow the ship where lies
The Master of ocean, and earth, and skies;
They all shall sweetly obey Thy will,
Peace, be still! Peace, be still!
They all shall sweetly obey Thy will,
Peace, peace, be still!*

Master, with anguish of spirit
I bow in my grief today;
The depths of my sad heart are troubled
Oh, waken and save, I pray!
Torrents of sin and of anguish
Sweep o’er my sinking soul;
And I perish! I perish! dear Master
Oh, hasten, and take control.

*chorus*

Master, the terror is over,
The elements sweetly rest;
Earth’s sun in the calm lake is mirrored,
And heaven’s within my breast;
Linger, O blessèd Redeemer!
Leave me alone no more;
And with joy I shall make the blest harbor,
And rest on the blissful shore.

*chorus*

~Mary A Baker

Wherever you are this morning on your journey through life, may you be able to find the peace that is yours but for the asking, and the blessings that can be found in the sharing and easing of one another's burdens.

When I was married to my first husband, I used to love to go up to his parents house and spend the evening with them, playing cards or just sitting and talking. He had lovely parents, and I used to love the atmosphere that was always present in their home. He lived on a farm and his mother would always have good things in their larder to eat and she would often prepare a light supper for us to share. It was always something really good. This is one of the things she used to make quite often. It goes quite nice with a hot cup of soup.

Serves 4

12 slices of streaky bacon

4 slices of bread

Some grainy mustard

4 thick slices of cheese (I like to use a sharp cheddar)

Heat a heavy skillet over medium high heat and then add your bacon. Cook, turning it over frequently, until it is semi crisp. Remove from the pan and then leave it to drain on paper kitchen towelling to help absorb most of the excess grease.

In the meantime pre-heat the grill (broiler) on your oven to high and lightly toast the slices of bread in your toaster.

Spread each piece of toast with some grainy mustard. Lay a slice of cheese on top of each and then lay 3 slices of bacon on top of the cheese. Place on a baking tray and then when all are ready, pop the baking tray under the grill and cook until the cheese is melted and bubbling and the bacon is as crisp as you would like it to be.

Remove it from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.