Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
A big tree fell from a storm a couple weeks ago in front of the house down the road from us. When I was walking the dog the other morning, I saw the neighbor was starting to cut it up. It looked like an overwhelming job to do by himself, so being the helpful neighbor I am, I volunteered my hubby’s muscles. As soon as I came back home and told him about it, he was ready to pitch in. AND, being the helpful neighbor he is, he volunteered the oldest to go along too! What can I say? We are a volunteering family. We volunteer each other!
Once the guys got there, more neighbors joined in until it seemed like it would be more fun there than at home. I’m just saying I could hear them from my house and we aren’t all that close! When they came back several hours later, they were exhausted, but in a great mood. They were laughing and talking about what a good time they had.
That got me to thinking on how we get so busy in our own lives that we tend to miss opportunities not only to help our neighbors, but to enjoy the accomplishment of teamwork. We see it with the Amish and barn raisings and with branding season on ranches. It’s not always about the work, but about the fellowship. Something isn’t quite right when the joking and teasing are missing!
When it is you facing a job that seems overwhelming and hard to handle by yourself, you realize how much it means when someone lightens the load for you. Some of my fondest memories come from those situations! Thinking of those times makes me want to pass on that feeling. Not only are we helping to carry each other’s burdens, we just might realize we are getting more out of it than the person we’re there to help!
You never know where you can be God’s hands today. Look for it! Don’t just walk by someone struggling; stop and help with a smile!
