This picture brought back sweet memories from my childhood. 

It is very similar to the swing that hung from the branch of an old oak in the backyard of my sunny, Floridian childhood home. My grandfather made and hung it for my 5th birthday. What simple joy I got from that combination of a piece of wood and ropes.

The wind blowing through my hair, tickling me and causing little girl laughter. I felt like I was soaring through the air, almost touching the fluffy clouds…on top of the world. 

Such simplicity filled my world back then. Such naivete. Innocence.  

Some days I wish that I could have that back. To have the life with no cares, no worries. 

But, even as I write this, I realize that I can. Very easily too. 

Sometimes I get consumed with the worries of the world, allowing myself to become pressured as I try to bear the burden by myself. To do life by myself. 

God doesn’t want that for us. Not at all. He desires for us to come to Him with our burdens and worries and troubles so that He can instead carry them for us. We weren’t meant to go through life alone, but to lean on and rely on the strength of the Lord. 

No matter your age, we are His children. He wants us to have that carefree feeling as we walk through life, for we know that He is in control and wants the best for our life due to His great, unfailing love for us. 

I tend to worry too much. Maybe I should find a swing so I can remind myself of God’s promise more often. 

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

(Matthew 11:28-30 ESV)