This Burden Is Light

We all carry things, but some of them are heavy burdens. For some people it is the burden of a past they would rather not have had; for others it may the burden of failures and defeats, or bad choices and the shame they carry; for yet others it may be the burden of painful loss and grief. These can be heavy burdens indeed, and for some , can weigh heavy in the present. These burdens must be rolled onto someone big enough to carry, strong enough to heal, and powerful enough to fill with hope. Unless we get to a place of letting go of such burdens, we fail to move foward, or if we do, we limp, and know we are not really free.

However- there are other 'burdens' some of us are asked to carry, that were never meant to be 'cast off', for they are ours to carry as precious cargo. For me, it is having a child with special needs. These are our burdens that no one else can truly help us carry, although the One who gives us the priviledge to, is there to help us when we are tired and afraid and weary. And these burdens, although heavy, are also strangely light. Ask us would we want to trade our precious burden, and we would not hesitiate to answer no! No, we would not trade for another, easier one. Our burden becomes a thing of joy and delight to us. Rather than hold us back, it propels us forward- to a softer, bigger, more compassionate heart. Rather than cause us to stand still or hold back, our burden causes us to shake off pretense and the need for perfection. Our burden teaches us to be real and honest and accepting of people with all their failings and foibles. Our burden bend us, even break us at times, but in doing so, makes us useful to touch the hearts of others because we are just that- broken. No, this burden is heavy- but not too heavy- with God's help This Burden is Light.