"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." - Galatians 6:2
What a beautiful verse!
I had not heard it until I was asked to write a devotion on it.
So, let’s break it down. Bear means to help, guide or carry one another through challenging times. This is common sense, isn’t it? At least this is what I have been taught my whole life.
My mom came from a big family during the depression. Helping each other was a way of life for them. As a child, I was helped along the way with clothes, books and lots of smiles and hugs from my aunts and uncles. We helped take care of both of my grandmothers, bringing them into our home when they were no longer able to live alone.
When we read the words, bear one another’s burdens, it can seem like a difficult and weighty thing to do. But if we ask God to lead us, He will help us realize there are many ways to help people who are carrying heavy loads in life and helping bear their burdens does not have to become burdensome to us.
Simply taking a grocery cart back to the holder, so the mother of 3 can get her children buckled into their car seats, helps her at a challenging time in her day. Smiling at a stranger. Donating food, school supplies, or clothing to help someone that is struggling.
At times, to bear requires more. Giving a hug to a friend, letting her cry, completely exhausted, as she tries to move forward after losing her daughter or taking on the responsibility of raising a child whose parents are unable to do it themselves.
We can follow God’s example and bear others burdens by showing them love and supporting them when they need help. This is when they need us the most. This is what God does for us. Through our love of God and humanity, we pass that on to others.
-Linda Marshall
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