Last Saturday, the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office in Carlyle, Illinois, had to take a child into protective custody.  Members of the staff took care of the child for several hours until a family member was able to take the child.

Dan Travous, the Acting Chief Deputy, posted a note on Facebook about the care his staff provided for the child.  He included a picture of the child (with the child’s face concealed) with one of the members of his staff and included these comments: “This young child was taken into protective custody early Saturday morning.  He was up much of the night and was exhausted.  Correctional Officer Litteken spent her own money buying the child diapers, a stuffed animal, and clean clothing.  The picture shows Detective McClaren watching cartoons with [the] sleeping child in our telecommunications center.  Our staff, including Deputy Davis who took the child into protective custody, cared for the child for over six hours until a family member was able to take over custody.”

While in their care, the law enforcement officers did all they could to make the child feel safe and secure.  The picture in the Facebook post of the sleeping child would indicate they did a good job.  The post went viral with thousands of people praising the department for the care they provided for the child. *

Jesus Christ issued the following invitation to all of us: “Come to Me, all you 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).

To those who are weary with the burden of sin…

To those who are heavy laden with the cares of this world…

To those who are tired of pursuing happiness and coming up empty every time…

Jesus gives rest.

He gives rest and peace to those who will surrender their burdens and lives to Him.

He will take the burden of sin, for it is for our sins that He died on the cross (1 Corinthians 15:1-3), so that we can be forgiven (Ephesians 1:7).

He will bear the burdens of our cares, for He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).

He will give true, abiding joy that is not dependent on what is happening, but upon our relationship with Him (John 15:11).

God will give rest and eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  He will continue to cleanse from sin and provide rest for those who continue to follow Him as a way of life (1 John 1:7-9).

Jesus says, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Won’t YOU accept His offer through your trusting obedience?

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from “‘Heartwarming’ Facebook post from Illinois’ sheriff’s office goes viral” by Janine Puhak of Fox News, www.foxnews.com, published 11/5/2020.

David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

Archived issues of Living Water can be viewed and accessed from our website at: www.creekwoodcc.org