It's a bit embarrassing to share this story, but I feel I may not be alone so I'll share it anyway. There's not much to it really. A while back I woke up extra early at around 3:40 am. An old Jackson Brown tune was playing in my head, because I had been listening to some music from my archives. I hopped up to go to the restroom, afterwards washed my hands and splashed my face. Then I took a look at myself in the mirror.

It was then I noticed I was on the verge of tears. I looked a bit longer then asked myself, "You okay, Dude?" Evidently not, for while on the way back to bed I found myself crying, not hysterically, more just sobbing. I was shocked and bewildered. I could not think of one single reason why I could be feeling such sorrow. My wife held me while I wept for about thirty minutes. She asked me what the matter was, but could not really say. I apologized for my unmanly display, then finally I fell to sleep again.

After I awoke I though about the experience. It was rather frightening. Was I okay? What was bothering me? I could not think of anything a first. Then slowly my mind skipped along over many things that have been hiding in the back of my heart and mind.

Mom's very sick; I miss my dad; there are big changes on the job; my son is far away in college; retirement is looming; people are getting shot and killed right in the next town for no reason at all; I'm getting older. Yikes! Man, I thought I was carefree. Maybe not so much as I thought. It must have hit me all at once.

That morning I prayed to the Father, giving all my worries to Him. It was something that I am sorry to say I have not done for a long time. I asked for His protection and guidance. I lived the rest of my day in a much better state of mind. It was good to know someone much bigger than me has my back.

What am I trying to say? I'm not quite sure. I guess if anything, I'm trying to say don't ignore that little black cloud that may be forming in the back of your heart. Maybe you haven't given your worries to God in a long time like I had not. He's always there, ready to lighten your load and give you a yoke that is truly light. I guess that's the real Good News Only.