21 Days to Sweeter FriendshipsSample

Could You Share the Load?

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2, ESV

All of the walls in our little apartment were a very light tan. Bland. Uninteresting. Boring.

One of my friends suggested I pick out some bright, happy colors and give the place a fresh coat of paint. And she offered to pitch in and help. For an entire day, my friend helped me tape off windows and doors, add a coat of Kilz, and then add a couple of coats of paint to the walls of that master bedroom. When the work was complete, we had the most wonderful green bedroom. It was just beautiful.

Doubling the help doubled the fun and lightened my load as we painted. I could have completed the project by myself, but having someone to work alongside me made everything much better and more enjoyable. Susan, my friend, shared the load that day and helped to bear my painting burden. I was so grateful for her kind service.

What might this look like in your life today? Who, in your sphere of influence, could use a helping hand? It doesn’t have to be grand or expensive. It can be a simple task.

Maybe you could …

• Offer to babysit for a young mom
• Drop by or call an elderly friend who lives alone
• Take a meal to someone who is sick (Chick-Fil-A counts!)
• Text a friend who has been on your mind
• Mow someone else’s yard or take their trashcans to the curb
• Send a card or a note in the mail

Prayer– Lord, would you make me more aware and sensitive today to the needs and the burdens around me? If You show me, I will be faithful to reach out and lend a helping hand.

Reflect – Spend a few moments brainstorming ways you can lighten the loads of those around you. Who can you help? Serve? Encourage? Support? Now, do at least one kind act for someone else today.