Lifting Burdens

I found this cute story from the Friend magazine that explains how I have felt this past month. Although this has been a pretty eventful and stressful month, I have found myself strengthened and able to do more than I ever thought I could. I know that this was only possible because of the Lord lifting my burden for me.

Lifting the Pack

“How was school today?” Dad asked Katie as she sat down to do her homework.

“Not good.” Katie heaved a big sigh. “Do you remember that boy who has been teasing me so much?”

“Yes. Thomas?”

“Well, I’ve been asking Heavenly Father to take him away. I just want him to go to another school, or at least another classroom, but nothing has happened. He hasn’t even moved to another seat. Doesn’t Heavenly Father care about me?”

Dad put his hand over Katie’s. “Sure He cares, honey. But maybe He’s helping you in ways you aren’t even aware of.”

“What do you mean?”

Dad leaned back in his chair. “Do you remember a few years ago, when our family went backpacking in the mountains?”

“I think so.”

“You were very little then, but you wanted to carry your own pack. I’m afraid that it got pretty heavy long before we reached our campsite.”

“I remember now.” Katie’s face brightened. “I was tired, so we sat down to rest beside a stream. And then, when we started out again, you walked right beside me. The pack seemed much lighter then, and I was able to carry it all the way to camp.”

“Did you know that I was helping you?” Dad asked quietly.

“You mean by walking beside me and singing with me?”

“Yes. And also as we walked side by side, I was reaching out my hand and lifting the pack up off your back.”

“You were?” Katie looked at him in surprise. “And I didn’t even know it. No wonder my pack felt lighter—it was!”

Dad nodded. “Sometimes when we have burdens to bear, God doesn’t take them away. He just helps us carry them.”

Sometimes I want the Lord to just take this illness away but this story really helped remind me that although our trials may not go away we do have a loving Heavenly Father who will help us carry our load if we but ask him for help. Our Savior knows our suffering and will come to our aid if we just ask.

 I know I was able to do all that was required of me this past month because of this. I could have never carried this heavy load alone. I know the Lord was with me and helped me carry my burden and made it easier for me to bear. One of my favorite scriptures that remind me of this is in Mosiah 24:14 which reads: "I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs."

I have come to realize that it does not matter what burdens we are carrying or what trial we must endure, the answer is the same. We must rely upon the Lord each day and he will ease our suffering and lift our load so that we can make it through whatever we must endure in this life. I am so thankful that the Lord lightened my load this past month and allowed me to be a part of this wonderful holiday season.