2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
One of the vital parts of being a Jesus-follower is that we are connected to each other. And if we are connected, we are responsible when a member of our fellowship is burdened by life’s difficulties. In a physical body when one part is hurting we take special care of it. We put bandages and casts on an extremity to keep from inflicting further harm. Helping protect is not an option for us. It is a command, an order, an obligation. We are responsible for each other! What a concept. But so often we feel like we have too many irons in the fire as it is. We feel too busy to help. We run every direction with activities that we don’t even have time to actually sit and talk with members of our family. We hit the door of our homes and scatter to different rooms and activities. We pass each other in the hallways and barely say a word. The TV and computers are glowing, but our relationships are not. We isolate and then wonder why we are lonely and alone. We wonder why our marriages are cold and distant. We wonder why our kids seem to be drifting from our values. The solution is simple and yet difficult. We have to turn off the electronics and tune in to each other. We need to have conversations about important things. Of course this won’t happen overnight. It will take a while to get the engine of closeness fired up. It will be very awkward at first. Kids will roll their eyes, even a spouse might, but in the long run, it will be worth it. I can bet your kids are carrying burdens they would love to share, but you have been too distant. I bet your spouse is carrying some too. And if I could get you to be honest, you are burdened as well. Take the time. Put in the effort. Get close to each other and discover the joy of personal closeness. Once you have done it in your family, start doing it with another family at church and watch what Jesus will do. It will blow your socks off!
The Arnold Journey 