Isn’t it nice when you literally have your hands full of groceries, luggage or shopping bags and someone comes along and takes some of your load? You feel lighter immediately. It’s as if you’re more steady and secure. Carrying a heavy load in the natural is one thing, but what about emotionally? I don’t know about you, but I’d rather have to physically lift something heavy than to be weighted down in my soul with hardship. That stuff is heavy and sometimes you feel as if you’re all alone in whatever it is. First of all, you are never alone. Jesus is there and He cares. Sometimes you just want someone to put their arms around you and tell you it’s going to be okay. God designed us to be in community with one another. He knew we would need each other. 

I think we all get so wrapped up in our own lives sometimes that we forget to be a good neighbor. It’s not that we do this intentionally. We love people. We’re just stretched so thin.  Jesus said, “And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these.” (‭‭Mark‬ ‭12‬:‭30‬-‭31‬ ‭NLT‬‬) Loving your neighbor is not just the people that live on either side of you. Neighbors are anyone that you come in contact with, especially those that you consider to be friends. Jesus, Himself, stressed how important this commandment is. He needs for us to be His hands and feet to one another as we become the family of faith He desires. 

You can tell people that you love them. That’s wonderful and comforting, but when your actions show them how much you care, that is freedom to them. They know they can count on you. You can count on them. That’s doing life together. It truly lightens people’s loads for you to come alongside them and just listen and be there. Pray for them. Make them a meal if they’re battling sickness. Anything you do for someone in need will always be valued by The Lord. He takes notice. This is how He cares for His people. This is how we build friendships and long lasting relationships. “A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.” (‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭17‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Shouldn’t we strive to share the loads of the people around us? We certainly want them to help us when we need it. Make an effort to notice needs where you can be of assistance. By doing so, you will certainly brighten someone’s day and lighten their load. “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭40‬ ‭NLT)‬‬ Sharing and caring ministers to Jesus, our King.

Today’s writer is Brandi Crowe. A hairdresser for over 25 years, she is currently the owner of Brandi Crowe salon in Buford, GA. She loves hiking, a good cup of coffee, and spending time with family and friends. Brandi lives in a custom farmhouse with her husband Robby and cat Harold.