“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
Galatians 6:2 (RSV)
I once set aside a day to visit my jeweler in Chicago, who sold us our wedding rings. He’s an honest, trustworthy businessman as well as a jewelry designer.
Since I retired in 2023, I intended to visit him one day to turn my wedding band into a cross, and wear it as a necklace, now that arthritis in my knuckles prevents wearing a ring.
About a year after Jon’s accident, after being settled in a Nursing facility, I finally set aside a day to visit the jeweler. His wife who works with him, was in the store that day and we started talking. After sharing my story about Jon’s accident, I learned that she and her husband lost their adult son in a fatal car accident years ago. That explained the large framed portrait of a smiling young man, hanging on the wall of their store. Her son was in his early twenties when he died. Then she leaned closer to whisper that her husband has not spoken about his death, ever since.
The two of us chatted in one corner of the store for a few minutes, sharing our burdens and the similar grief that we had in common, while her husband was in the back room of the store. The silence about their son, must be hard on both of them after all these years.
After we shared our stories, I realized there is a strange comfort that comes through bearing each other’s burdens as scripture says to do. Two people can still share their grief in silence, but there is something liberating and therapeutic in talking about it.
God sends people to us who are suffering similar tragedies in order for us to share and bear it with them, which is a momentary healing balm for the soul. There is always someone going through a similar trial as ours, to bond and identify with, whether it’s about a medical problem, a divorce, loss of a loved one, the struggles of a caregiver or any other hardship.
There’s no doubt that God brings people together at the right time and place to comfort us in our distress, and infuse our faith with much needed stamina.
There is a special blessing in the book of James for all those who suffer in some way but persevere:
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)
Lord, help us to always be ready to share and bear each other’s burdens, and give us strength to persevere as we devote our love and trust to you. Amen
