Welcome Heart, Sue Donaldson, Speaker

Faith is a gift. Some people are more gifted than others. Sometimes we can't muster any faith to get us through hard - terrifically hard - times. That's when a friend comes in to take up the faith-slack.

I've had to say: "Look, it all seems unbearable right now. Nothing is how it's supposed to be. And, the future doesn't look much better. I can't change that. I will have faith for you that you will survive, God will sustain, lightness of heart will again be your's." And, others have done the same for me.

Our journey is meant to be a shared journey. Do you have someone close by to carry faith enough for both of you, at least for the time being? If not, ask the Burden-Bearer. He knows all about it.

Paul wrote: "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2) Now, what was that "law of Christ?" To love God and to love another as much as you love yourself. Sounds like lifting a burden to me. And, since loving one each other is the main thing this side of heaven, we are always in the process of carrying another as well as being carried -often, simultaneously. So, take heart, ask God for a fellow - traveler, and look out for one who may need to use your shoulder and faith for awhile.

PS Two weeks ago, good neighbor Christy came down with a bad cold. Over went the leftover potsticker soup to her front door. Yesterday, the crud hit this house. After work, there was Christy's lovely lemon chicken dinner (also, leftover!) AND Carlock's cheesecake for our family. I could get used this burden-bearing/sharing.