Blessed by Burdens

I was watching the movie, "Freedom Writers" again the other night (LOVE IT!!!) and was struck by the comment, "You are blessed with a burden". In this case, Erin's heart and passion for the inner city youth she was working with. Sometimes we carry a burden on our hearts but rarely do we feel blessed by it. Rarer still, I imagine, are the number of times others feel blessed by it. But what would happen if we turned that around? What would happen if we started looking at our burdens as blessings? As opportunities?

Imagine how you would feel. How those around you would feel. Those burdens turn into passions. And when we're passionate about something our outlook looks and feels different. The way we handle things is different. Burdens might still seem cumbersome but not impossible. But when we're passionate about them people might want to share them with us and help us carry the load. When we're negative all the time it's hard to imagine helping anyone else, let alone asking or accepting their help.

Have you ever stood in line with a heavy package or item? Standing in one place for very long becomes uncomfortable and it's difficult to bear that weight for very long. Rather, it's much easier to be moving forward with it finding that eventual spot where you can set it down. So it is with burdens. If we stand around with them, all by ourselves, they can become too much. They require action my their very nature.

Don't be afraid to share them. To put them down. Keep only the ones you need. The ones that become your passion. Don't let them wear you out or rob you of your joy. We all need joy in our lives and we all need each other. Can't get through this life alone.

Here's to being blessed by our burdens.