Nancy and I were talking about the things troubling my heart the other night. Which is a nice way of saying, why I was grumpy.

I started listing some things.

“But that isn’t your responsibility,” she said. “And that isn’t either.”

She could have reminded me that the next two things were obligations I had for myself that no one else expected. She could have pointed out that the next couple items were actually none of my business, that a couple others were out of my control.

Later, I wrote “obligation amnesty” on one of my lists.

Still later, I wondered if part of the reason that rest sounds impossible when Jesus offers it is because the obligations I carry are not ones he cares about. Not nearly as much as he cares about me.

Not long ago, I looked at a friend and said, “I absolve you of feeling responsible for the things it is impossible and unnecessary for you to do.” We both had tears in our eyes.

I offer you that same absolution. I invite you to perceived obligation amnesty.