As I grow older, it becomes easier for me to see that God’s power is in God’s kindness.  Everything I read in the lessons today gives support to the relationship I’ve developed with a kind and compassionate God over the years.  Life can be long, and the burdens are great.  Yet, God calls us all by name and knows how we struggle.  God gives strength to the fainting and vigor to the weak.  Isaiah certainly knew God’s faithful kindness to God’s people.  It has been also my experience that the Lord is always there to renew our strength if we call on the strength of the Lord’s power.  I pray today, that all God’s people would know and not forget that great kindness. 

Over the years, that kindness amounts to a very easy relationship with God, if we are open to it.  Just look again at Psalm 103.  We should be saying “Bless the Lord, O my soul,” over and over again all day long.  There are indeed many benefits.  We are pardoned, we are healed, we are redeemed, and we are crowned with compassion by our Lord who is abounding in kindness.  Yes, life can be long for some of us, but it doesn’t have to be hard.  Jesus also calls us with kindness, even tenderness when he offers us rest.  But that rest is not from life, but for life.  We are called to share the burden of Jesus, yes, but if we learn from him, he promises he won’t make it hard for us.  He can do that for us because his power is indeed in God’s kindness.