My son and daughter-in-law attended a wedding in another state and so I had the privilege of caring for my four grandchildren for a weekend. On Saturday we packed up equipment, water and food knowing we would be at football haven for 8 straight hours. Each one played or was involved in cheerleading for 2 hours. During hour 3, my one grandson was injured and before coaches could get him to the bench, there I was making sure he was okay and comforting him.
The coach took one look at me and asked if I was his grandmother. I nodded yes and he assured me he was fine. That look said it all. I had crossed an invisible barrier that separated the players from the spectators. I was guilty and never did it again.
When we are born, we are given a purpose for life and figuratively placed on a playing field, much like the one mentioned above. As a football player is wrapped in protective equipment, we are supplied with both internal and external traits that are used to protect, challenge and train us, called a load.
Through a lot of living, the load sometimes gets pretty heavy and no longer is something that can be carried with ease, so we look up from the playing field and search the bleachers for someone we love who will give us a smile and thumbs up. We don’t need help but someone who will encourage us by just listening.
Then there are times when the load is so heavy, it becomes a burden too big to move. So we allow others to help us lift it. We look up from the field and encourage our loved one to come down and help us temporarily. God’s plan is that we help others and receive their help at other times.
Problems arise when some will look for anyone in the bleachers to come to their aid even when the load is only normal. And then there are those who continually look at the field from their seat in the stands, seeking anyone who could use their aid. Their need to be needed is greater than what others require. My grandson was injured, and surely needed me. No, grandma, he needed to shake off the dirt from his uniform and join his team.
We are positioned in both places - originally placed on the field to run our own race but we are also seated in the bleachers watching others as they move their loads down the playing area. The secret is to look at the coach who knows exactly what each player needs. Do they need someone to physically come alongside them or just a smile or word of encouragement?
Galatians 6:2,5 says, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way fulfill the law of Christ. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.”
Father, help us to be sensitive in receiving Your directions when we need to carry our own load or when we need to help carry someone else’s burden.
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