life beyond the well…

Tag Archives: Life


by Leave a comment

Share Your Burdens

“Carry each other’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” -Galatians 6:2

As an only child for about 8 years, I became fairly used to not having anyone to really share things with.  Of course,  I talked with my parents, and I had friends; but I spent a lot of time reading and in my own thoughts.  As a result, I became quite the processor; easily analyzing and mulling over my thoughts and feelings.

It’s great to give careful consideration to your thoughts and feelings- taking the time to be in control of yourself and not being pushed by your impulses is a sign of maturity, that one must master.  But the other part of being a processor and an analyzer is that you can worry yourself with your thoughts, concerns, fears, hopes, dreams.

I’ve been reminded by two women that I talk with semi-regularly about my need to increase that communication; that I need to consistently share my burdens, and develop the relationship we have so that we don’t just talk when I’m having (what I view as) a crisis but that we are in a state of constant interaction and fellowship.  This is difficult for me, because I like to take the time to really understand what I’m feeling and why I feel that way before consulting someone else; but also because I don’t like to burden people or “cry wolf” with my “crisis”.

While all those thoughts are great for might be great for me, my failure to share my burdens with others makes it difficult for them to follow what the above scripture says.  In Christ, we are called to fellowship and commune with each other, to love one another as we love ourselves, and to carry each other’s burdens.  But those burdens can’t be carried if they are unknown.  And while people can surely pray on my behalf, trusting that the Holy Spirit will direct them to what I’m in need of as they pray, it could be a lot easier if I just shared my burdens with them, so that they could carry them to Christ.

What I realized, as I thought more about this, is that I’ve been treating people like “spiritual vending machines”, coming to them when I need a quick boost; as opposed to treating them like “spiritual grocery stores” that I shop and visit regularly.  The danger in doing that is that, if I’m not careful, it can seem as if I’m only talking to them when I need help.  It’s difficult to build meaningful relationships without consistent communion and sharing- and being willing to step outside my comfort zone and share the GOOD along with the not-so-good.  Nobody likes the “friend” that only comes around when they’re broke- and I’m committed to not just engaging with people when I feel spiritually broke, but also when I feel all the wealth and favor that God has promised me.

Be encouraged!  Peace and Blessings!


by 3 Comments

Just Say Thank You

For the past few months I’ve been in a battle with a student to get them to send a thank you note.  There are certain types of aid that students can receive that are funded by donors, and we require students to send thank you notes as a small gesture of appreciation for the thousands of dollars that this person (or family) is individually investing in their education.

Most students promptly write thank you notes, but this student failed to respond to any of my emails or voicemails.  It was quite frustrating, because this student came to me at a low point needing help and I advocated on their behalf to get them additional financial support so that they could stay enrolled at school.  Now, all I need for you to do is say thank you to finish the process, and you can’t do that?  You can’t even respond to any of my attempts to reach you?  Sigh.

I kept thinking about my frustration, and then I was humbled because I realize that I can be that way with God.  There have been times that I’ve come to God at my low point, in serious need of a blessing, a healing, a deliverance- and He provides.  And then it’s all “business as usual” for me- and I haven’t taken the time to properly say “Thank You”.

With my student, their failure to finish the process and send a thank you note has resulted in a reversal of the funds, meaning the funds will be removed and they will have to figure out a way to finance any remaining balance on their account.  Thankfully God’s grace and mercy doesn’t have “reversal consequences” in our lives, where He goes back and reverses or removes a blessing because our lack of gratitude or our failure to respond to his attempts to reach us.

While I’m praying that my student will learn from this experience, I realize that I have learned as well.  The lesson is the same: just say “thank you”.  Whether it’s people who have blessed you through their kindness and generosity, or whether it’s God continuously providing and blessing you, it’s still important to say thank you.

Who do you need to say “thank you” to?

Be encouraged!  Peace and blessings!