Burdens

So what weighs you down, flips you out, stresses you to the max, what has your heart heavy, your mind racing, or your spirits in the dumps?  Basically what is burdening you?  For so many life burdens are real, hard, and unavoidable.  The family dealing with death, cancer, loss of job, an affair, or a child who takes extra effort.  For others of us life's burdens come from misconceptions, perceptions, assumptions, guilt, and doubt. 

"Help to carry one another's burdens."

Galatians 6:21

This year our women's ministries theme is Carry One Another's Burdens.  To be honest I hadn't given the topic much thought until last night's kick-off.  As I looked around the room.  I noticed who was sitting by who, who had spoken with whom.  Which young women had mixed with which older women.  This is the sociologist in me I suppose.  More then once I was struck by how we glaze over burdens.  Not because we don't care, but more I think because we are affraid.  Affraid we'll say the wrong thing, make them think we are being nosey, pushy, or maybe just because we don't want them to feel incapable.  Yet I know when I have had someone offer to help carry my burdens before the throne or phsycially through acts of service it makes me feel nothing but loved and noticed. 

Then this morning on the Today Show I saw a segment on a book on how to make a happy home.  Much of the book seeemed to be centering around letting go of those things that burden us, and embracing making others feel loved and welcomed.... hum.  Then I read the e-mail by Jill Savage from Hearts at Home which spoke of how to make a Mom's group (which can get as clickish as a high school lunch table) more inviting and less, well, SCARY!  Again focusing on the idea of "There you are" verses "Here I am"...... hum. 

So as I look toward a year of occasional fun activies with my sisters in Christ.  I have one goal.  To seek out others, and to bravely ask about burdens.  To lift them in prayer, and offer simple things: a hug, a candy bar, a card, a date night, a walk, a listening ear, a cup of coffee or Dr. Pepper, to pray with them, to watch a kiddo, or take a meal.  May I be so brave to not even ask if I see a deep need, but to arrive with a smile, a cup of favorite beverage, and my work gloves ready for whatever they throw at me.  Isn't that what Jesus meant.  Isn't that what the church is suppose to be.  The people who carry one another when life gets rough.  That's why they followed Him.  That's why they listened to Him.  Because He loved them, and when they were with Him life just seemed less burdened, and if we follow Him and seek Him.  Life's burdens will be a bit lighter.  If we are so brave to let His servants serve us, oh the joy.

So let's lift others and let others lift us up to Jesus.  Where together with His strength our burdens can be made light. 

Blessings,

Dennae