Story: Casting Cares

I need to get someone else to walk the neighbor’s dog.

The thought came to Chloe as she lay on her bed, unable to move or think much due to an accident the day before. She knew she was helpless to do anything about her commitment to walk the neighbor’s dog. Why, she could hardly even open her eyes, and it seemed to take every ounce of her energy to merely whisper a yes or no to simple questions.

She tried to figure out a plan of who could walk the dog, but she quickly realized she couldn’t even do that. The mere attempt was making her feverish. “Papa,” she whispered.

“I’m right here, Dear,” came the sweet, always gentle reply.

“Rojo…needs…walked.” The words were punctuated with great gasps for breath.

“I’ll see it’s taken care of,” came the immediate reply.

“But how…?”

Chloe’s father laid a gentle hand on his daughter’s forehead. “Never you mind how. I’ll take care of it. Just trust me.”

“Do you know where the leash is kept…and—” but Chloe’s father put his finger on Chloe’s lips.

“Stop worrying about it, Chloe. If I need you to tell me anything or do anything on it, I will tell you. Let it go. I’ve got it.”

Chloe relaxed. Her father would tell her if there was anything else she needed to tell him. He had it in his hands.

“When am I supposed to take my medicine?” came the next troubled question. Chloe was so afraid she’d forget something important—her brain felt like mush.

“Not till later. Stop thinking about it. I’ll tell you when it’s time and help you take it. Chloe, Sweetheart, there’s something you need to understand.”

“Yes, Papa?”

“Your job right now is to rest. When worries come into your mind, just tell them to me and let them go. I promise that I will take care of them, and that if there’s something you need to do about them, I will tell you and help you do them. But you can’t bear them.”

A faint smile stole across Chloe’s face. That was certainly true. Why, she could hardly even open her eyes. It was shear foolishness to think that, knowing as little as she did right now of life outside the four walls of her room, she could even make an intelligent decision on her own. Chloe finally relaxed. She could trust her father to handle every care.

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28