“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28NIV
Raised in a holiness church, I wanted nothing to do with the hypocritical lifestyle of 90% of every holiness person I’d ever met. In about every way imaginable I rebelled against anything resembling religion. Until…
All my life, I’d said the only way I would ever come to Jesus for salvation was if everything in my life was wonderful. No beggar’s story for my salvation story. Unfortunately, my story was ugly, horrible, unhappy, rough and I was broken, badly broken.
Then one day, an answer to my mom’s fasting and prayer arrived— a zany, fun-loving, French Canadian waltzed into my world and swept me straight into love with a whirlwind romance. His construction job took him to a new place every three months. When it came time for him to move, we married in order for me to go with him.
Lou was my crutch. His lifestyle became mine. Learning a new language for both of us, having three children— moving every few months meant job relationships were after work friends, very important for society, almost like family.
Our eldest daughter started school, forcing us to settle down. We chose a small town in southern Indiana. Some co-workers settled down with us. New friends were partiers just like us. Seven couples were our pals. Everything we did together— none of which involved church.
One day everything changed. My lifestyle wasn’t heaven bound. Every burden I’d carried and laughed off, suddenly became too heavy to bear, when the doctor added uterine cancer. Music— Laughter — Parties— Beer cans everywhere stopped as I contemplated death. It was then I decided that I desperately needed Jesus in my life. (Who, by the way, had been patiently waiting for me to come to Him, so He could carry my burdens.)
Suddenly Jesus was exciting to me. He loved me as seriously awful as I was. When He came into my heart, things began to change dramatically from the inside out. It was impossible for me to get enough of Bible reading, prayer, and worship.
One thing, we never can estimate —this side of heaven— is how many will be brought into the Kingdom because of one person’s conversion. I know many lives were changed because I and then Lou gave our hearts to Jesus.
Our besties gave their hearts to Jesus very soon after us. Her siblings and mother have come into God’s kingdom since.
One couple’s daughter is still currently serving on the mission field. Only God knows how many lives have been brought to Christ because of their family.
Most but not everyone in our friends group made it to heaven, but not all of them are deceased yet either. Not everyone will make it to heaven. Before I gave my burdens to Jesus, I didn’t care if anyone made it to heaven. After tasting and seeing how great Jesus is, (see Psalm 34:8) I wanted everyone to meet Jesus the Burden Bearer for themselves.
Holy Spirit is wanting us to be encouraged in Jesus right now. He wants us to look back at those who’ve come to Christ because of our witnessing. Then He wants us to renew our efforts. Go out a bring the lost into the Kingdom. Time is getting short. Only what’s done for Christ will last into eternity. It’s your choice. You choose.
LET’S PRAY: LORD God, thank You for being our burden Bearer. Thank You for helping us to bring in the lost sheep. We couldn’t do it without Your help. Please help us to win more and more for You, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
by Debbie Veilleux
Copyright 2026 You have my permission to reblog this devotional for others. Please keep my name as author with this. Thank you.
