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We've all heard it. "Lay all of your burdens down at the feet of Jesus and He will carry them for you." But what exactly is a "burden" and how are you supposed to just walk away from it?

Dictionary.com defines burden as that which is carried; a load, and also that which is borne with difficulty; an obligation. So, a burden is anything that you carry that weighs you down and makes your life more difficult. These can be financial in nature, health related, family problems. Anything at all. If it is heavy on your heart or mind, causing stress or distress, it's a burden.

Our natural reaction to these burdens is to figure out how to handle them ourselves. Surely, if we got ourselves into this situation, we can find our way out of it as well. Then comes the anxiety, the sleepless nights, the strained relationships. Eventually, we realize that we can't do it ourselves, but that only makes the stress worse.

The Bible says in Luke 12:25, "And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?" In other words, what good is worrying going to do you? The fact is worry leads to many health problems including heart attacks, and stomach ulcers. Worry has never solved a single problem for anyone. If anything, it compounds problems on top of problems.

So, what do we need to do about all of these burdens we're faced with every day? Ask anyone who's been in church a few times and they will tell you that you are supposed to give them all to Jesus and just leave them with Him.

Right.

Have they ever tried to do that?

Truth be told, that is exactly what we are supposed to do. In 1 Peter 5:6&7 we're told, "6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." The trouble is that, even though you give your burdens to Jesus, you still have to pay rent next month. You still have those same family members that have been causing problems at home.

So, how can we just walk away from our burdens when they're staring us in the face every day? When we hear them, see them, and feel them constantly? We can't. That's the plain and simple truth. What we can do, though, is keep giving them to Jesus.

Every time you look at your bank account balance and feel anxiety about how much money you need compared to how much you have, say a prayer, and give it back to Jesus.

Every time that family member starts trying to rile you up or get under your skin, give it back to Jesus.

Each and every time you face that same anxiety causing situation (or a new one) GIVE IT BACK TO JESUS!

We are going to face hardships and struggles here on this earth, and they will make our lives almost unbearable at times. However, we should always remember in those times that God has something so great and beautiful waiting for us that there are no words to properly describe it. We need only have faith, finding our strength in the Lord every day.

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This week, I was contemplating some of the beautiful traditional hymns that serve as a reminder to release our burdens to the Lord. The hymns that emphasize this message are especially meaningful to me.

Today, we will frame some of those old favorites to help us recall what it means to truly surrender our burdens to God.

Note: I made these frames in 8x10 shadow boxes. However, you can use any size shadow box you would like to, just adjust sizes and supplies accordingly. You can also use any song you wish using these same techniques. My fellow blogger Rose Clearfield has spent many hours curating a great many of these songs along with many other beautiful vintage documents and she shares them for free on her blog. I strongly encourage you to browse through her collections.

Supplies: For both versions: 8x10 shadow box frame (I used this one for "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" and this one for "I Must Tell Jesus") Color Printer, printer paper Permanent Vinyl (for lettering on glass) Cricut or other vinyl/paper cutting machine Masking Tape Transfer Tape Dry Erase or Chalk Marker Permanent Glue dots (I had some from The Paperie Shoppe on hand, but you can totally get some on Amazon in a nifty dispenser!! I'm definitely going that route next time!!) Scissors Lighter (optional - for burning the edges of the sheet music) 1-1/2-inch ribbon (for top layer of optional bow) 2-inch ribbon (for bottom layer of optional bow) For the "I Must Tell Jesus" Frame, you will also need: 1 8.5-inch x 11-inch sheet white cardstock paper (for printing the vintage roses on) The "I Must Tell Jesus" cut file (available FOR FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter) The free vintage sheet music downloadable of "I Must Tell Jesus" from Free Printable Vintage Hymns About Prayer • Rose Clearfield Free Printable Vintage Roses Postcards • Rose Clearfield For the "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" Frame, you will also need: 1 8.5x11.5 sheet red metallic card stock paper (or other color - for background) Embellishments such as these Paper Flower and Pick Embellishments by The Paper Studio Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks The "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" cut file (available FOR FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter) Free Printable Vintage Gospel Hymns Sheet Music • Rose Clearfield

Step 1: Download and Print Sheet Music

Find and download the song you wish to display using the links for Rose Clearfield's blog in the supply list above.

Using your favorite photo editing software, resize the page to fit in your shadow box, leaving about 2 inches or so around the edges. For my 8x10 frames, I made the image 6x8-inches. Then print the image on your color printer and cut out.

This can be done in Cricut Design Space and then Cricut will cut the image out perfectly so that there are no crooked edges. Simply upload the image to Cricut Design Space and save as a flat image for Print then Cut when prompted. Once you add the song to your canvas you can resize it by changing the W and H values individually (click on the lock above them so that it is unlocked).

Once you have your size set, click "Make" in the top right corner. Set your material size to 8 1/2" x 11" letter and the type as copy paper. The app will prompt you to "send to computer." This will print your page with some dark black corners. These are essential to the way Print then Cut works. Put the printed sheet face up on a light grip mat and cut as usual. The Cricut will scan the paper and then cut out the printed part of it. You can then lift the paper off of the mat gently using the spatula tool. Don't pull it off as this will cause the paper to curl and will make it much harder to work with later.

Continue from here for the "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" Frame

Skip To Step 4 for the "I Must Tell Jesus" Frame

Step 2: Cut the Background Paper

This step may also be done on the Cricut or by hand.

Take the backing off of your frame. Measure the length and width of the backing only. Using these measurements, cut your background paper to size.

If you want to use your Cricut for this step, simply click on the "Shape" button on the left-hand side of the canvas and choose the square with pointed, not round, corners. Set the size of the square to match the dimensions of your backing and have the Cricut cut it from the background paper using a light grip mat and a material setting to match your paper's weight.

Step 3: Attach the Background Paper to the Back of the Frame

Place glue dots all around the edges of the back side of the background paper. Use a lot to prevent any drooping or sagging. Turn the paper over and center it on the frame backing. Press down gently over all of the glue dots to ensure they are properly adhered.

Step 4: Burn the Edges of the Music Sheet and Place it on the Frame Backing

If you are choosing to burn the edges of your sheet music:

1. Use a lighter (I recommend an electric one as it tends to be easier to control) to carefully begin scorching small sections of your paper.

2. You don't want to burn any words or music note off if you can help it, so don't let the paper actually catch fire. As soon as you see any flame, extinguish it by blowing it out.

3. There will be a considerable amount of soot produced, so you may want to work outside or over a trash can.

4. If you burn more than you would like to, don't worry, just reprint and cut and try again. Try practicing a bit on a blank sheet until you are comfortable with the process.

Once you have your sheet music looking the way you would like it to put glue dots all around the back of it. make sure you have enough to prevent any sagging.

Turn the page over and place it in the center of the backing of your frame.

Continue from here for the "I Must Tell Jesus" Frame

Skip to Step 6 for the "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" Frame

Step 5: Download and Print and Cut the Vintage Rose Embellishments

Download the Free Printable Vintage Roses Postcards from Rose Clearfield's blog.

There are a few different ways you can complete this step:

1. Resize the images on your favorite image editing software and print as is. Then cut out by hand.

2. Use photo editing software such as Adobe Photoshop (paid), or Gimp (free) to remove the background. Then upload to Cricut Design Space as a Print then Cut file, resize, print, and cut. Or,

3. Using the tools available in Cricut Design Space, you can erase the background when you upload the image. Design Space will not automatically remove the backgrounds from these images because there are too many different colors for it to distinguish the background from the picture. However, there is the option of an eraser tool on the same screen as the background remove tool and you can use it to remove the background yourself. Then follow the procedures for a print then cut file.

Both frames continue from here.

Step 6: Place and Glue Embellishments

Arrange your embellishments around your sheet music until you are happy with the way it looks. Then glue down using glue dots or hot glue. Most printed paper embellishments can be held in place with glue dots while 3-D element may require hot glue due to the weight and shape of them. A combination of the two will get the job done beautifully.

Step 7: Cut and Place Vinyl on Glass

Download (or create) the desired phrase for your song and then upload it to Cricut Design Space.

Remove the glass from the frame and measure the length and width of it. (It's important to note here that some shadow box frames do not allow the glass to be removed. In these cases, measure the dimensions of the glass that is accessible on the front of the frame)

Using primarily the width of your glass for guidance, resize your cut file to fit within the dimensions of your glass. Don't make it the exact same width as the glass or your words will be hidden behind the frame. Allow about a half inch for the frame.

Place your permanent vinyl on a standard grip mat and cut the wording out. When complete, weed the extra pieces away and gently fold the wording in half, both lengthwise and widthwise. Make creases in the paper backing but don't press too hard on the vinyl itself. Now, place a piece of transfer paper over the wording and burnish well in all directions.

Clean both sides of your glass with alcohol or a glass cleaner.

Time to do a little math! Take the width of your glass and divide it by two. Then use a dry erase or chalk marker to make a small mark at that measurement at both the top and the bottom. Using your ruler as a straight edge, draw a line connecting these two marks.

Repeat these steps to mark the center of the length of your glass.

Now, turn your glass over and place your cut vinyl on top of your glass, matching up the creases in the paper with the corresponding vertical and horizontal lines - this assures that your vinyl is straight and centered.

Using at least 2 pieces of masking tape, tape the top edge of the vinyl to the glass. Then, flip the vinyl up along the taped edge and begin removing the backing from the top. Make sure everything is coming off of the backing. Once you have pulled the backing down an inch or so, flip the vinyl back over begin pressing it down to the glass. Continue to remove the backing as you press the vinyl into place. (I apologize for the lack of pics for this part. I completely forgot to take any!)

After all of the backing material is removed, burnish over the transfer tape well and then remove it as well.

Clean the marker off of the glass.

Step 8: Reassemble the Shadow Box

Place the glass back in the frame first. Many shadow boxes have an insert that goes between the glass and the back of the frame. In these cases, there is often only one painted edge, and it should go toward the glass. Place this insert next, if you have one, then replace the back of the frame making sure that the top of the back and the top of the words are aligned. Secure the back into place.

Step 9: Optional Outside of Frame Decor

I chose to make some simple bows to adorn the corners of my shadow boxes, but they are beautiful left plain as well. You may also choose something like a flower (or group of flowers) or a butterfly decoration for yours. This is your project to help you in your daily walk with God - put yourself in it!

I can't wait to see what you create! Show me your projects in the comments below and have a blessed crafting time!