Sharing Burdens

Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived. Galatians 6:1-3 (Msg)

I went to the post office last week. Not gonna lie, not my favorite place, especially in Winder, but that's another post for another day. I had the last of my out of town Christmas gifts to mail, so I toted in 2 big boxes and 2 pretty big envelopes and then joined the other 12 people in line. We all talked about traffic and the weather (I mean, it is Winder) ... eventually hinted as to the lack of efficiency in moving the line along. Finally, I was about at the counter when the kind lady in front of me said, "Why don't you go ahead before you drop everything you've got." A really sweet offer in a really long wait!

We all carry a load. Sometimes its just the simple stresses or annoyances of normal life. Sometimes its a serious health issue or chronic condition. For some it's marriage woes, for other money worries or the loss of a job. In the midst of doing life together, Galatians 6 reminds us to forgive, restore, complete, stoop down, reach out, share burdens ... and so complete God's law - LOVE! Loads were not meant to be carried alone.

That's one of the things I love about what I do. Not only do I get to share in life with people, but I get to share in the load by listening, caring, praying, and sometimes even carrying part of the burden for a time. And I get to see my students do this with each other. It was a beautiful picture when Scott was in Montana in the hospital to watch the stream of students drive and fly there to be with him and his family! They didn't have an agenda. They couldn't fix it - he was still in ICU, but he and his family were hurting, they had a load they couldn't carry by themselves so off they went ... to sing in the waiting room, to have picnics on the lawn of the hospital, to laugh and rejoice in the good times, to be there and cry in the tough times, to have birthday parties and take out dinners ... just to be there at a time when presence was everything!

We all carry burdens ... but how much easier when we share the load. Don't be so quick to judge ... instead be the FIRST to stoop down, roll up your sleeves, and share in the burden no one was ever meant to carry alone!