Carry One Another’s Burdens

Last year, our family went to an indoor water park. Our family enjoys the lazy river, that gently floats us along. As my youngest son and I emerged from the pool, I saw a toddler plunge into the lazy river. She was about fifteen months old, tiny with beautiful blonde hair. I had noticed her walking and playing earlier in the day. Now she was in the water, on her back! The river was anything but lazy! The rushing water quickly and roughly pushed the child further away. Her life vest was too big, so her head bobbed above and below the water. As she moved up stream, water from above sprinkled across her face and body. She was squirming and crying, as she attempted to come up for air. She had no control over her environment. I stood Nicholas to the side, and quickly made my way to the water. Another lady, was closer and got to the river first. She leaned over to pull the child out, but, she was struggling to retrieve the tiny girl. My mind was racing. I would have to jump in, without knocking the child further away or causing her to fall further under. That was the only way to get her out of the water. Finally, the lady pulled the child from the water. I didn’t have to jump in, but I needed to assess her. My nursing instinct was in full gear as I quickly looked to see if she needed CPR. The panicked woman called out, “Where is her mother?” I assured her that I wasn’t the child’s parent, but that I witnessed the incident and was there to help. The child was catching her breath and CPR was not necessary. Once we found the mother, I told her that the baby needed to be watched closely because she had swallowed a lot of water in this incident.
I think many of us live our lives like this little girl who was drowning in the lazy river. One minute we are floating through, and the next we are drowning in the burdens of life. We have jobs, family, and other healthy commitments. But, then we become overwhelmed with life’s circumstances. The weight of a tragedy can force us under. It could be the death of a loved one, an illness, infertility, a broken marriage, or something else that threatens to take us under. We often live with our hearts pulled in multiple directions. And, we are often barely keeping afloat. One unexpected event threatens to push us under, while other minor commitments sprinkle over our faces making it difficult to catch our breaths. We are pushed under, and can barely come up for air. The struggle shows across our faces. Our eyes are watery and weary.
Life can be difficult and everyone goes through tough seasons. When you feel like you’re drowning, who can help lift you up? When you can’t breathe, who will help you get air? Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2). This simply means to show compassion and care for others who are struggling with life’s situations and temptations. Help one another through these times of difficulty.

We should be ready and willing to love one another in this way. Another word for burdens, is weights. When something is weighing you down, allow a friend to lighten your load. Yesterday, my husband, Frank, bought Nicholas a pair of boots at a festival. The car was a good walk from where the festival was and the boots became heavy after a few minutes. So, my husband took the burden. Frank took the weight from Nicholas, by carrying the boots the rest of the way. My husband carried Nicholas’ burden because Nicholas couldn’t carry it any longer. If Nicholas could have taken it back, Frank would have allowed him to. The time Frank spent carrying the boots, allowed Nicholas to catch his breath. And it allowed him to stay strong enough to finish the walk to the car. We easily do this for our children, and it should be the same with our brothers and sisters in Christ. As believers, we are journeying together. When the burden gets too heavy for one of us, the others should be willing to carry the burden. Our best journey will be the one we go on together. The one where we help one another.
I encourage you to notice those who are nearly drowning around you. Don’t just pass them by, but reach out and lift them up. No one would have left the toddler in the lazy river! Yet, we often bypass a friend in need. Someone needs you to lighten the load. The river of life is not often lazy…it’s more like fierce, white water! Determine how you can help your burdened friend. Remember to help long enough to allow the friend to catch his or her breath. You could even ask another friend to help carry the burden, too.
If your burdens are too much for you to bear, at this time, allow others to carry your burden. Accept compassion, encouragement, and assistance. Don’t just assume that others know what you are going through. Be open enough to share so others may bear your struggles.