Galatians 6:2 Bear One Another's Burdens

My first marriage ended with all kinds of trauma and a firm resolution to never walk down the aisle again. The trauma I speak of was not just my trauma but my son's as well. For many years after the divorce he was exposed to several unhealthy environments.

I did not know it at the time but God had been working in the heart of a man who would change my determination to avoid another walk down the aisle. For the previous two years I had held the church door and greeted him every Sunday. We had exchanged glances and pleasantries but never anything more. I discovered his name was Chris one Sunday when we were encouraged to greet one another during the service. On one occasion I was sure he was walking up to me to chat and suddenly he turned and went back to his seat. I later learned that he is painfully shy and it took him those two years to work up the courage to talk to me.

Looking back I know it was God who kept us from moving forward for those two years. Chris and I are in agreement that had we tried to start a relationship prior to that time it would have ended in a very different way. During those two years we both did a lot of healing and growing. That growth and healing was critical for us to go through prior to coming together.

Our first six dates were a Bible study. We would attend the study together and then, afterwards, we would discuss the topic of the week and our beliefs on it over dinner. It was truly a God ordained time in our lives.

Not long after the Bible study was over I got the call from CPS. I was given a very short explanation of the why but I was told that my son's regularly scheduled visits with his father were not to take place until further notice.

After what seemed like forever, I received a call that there would be a meeting to discuss the case. It was suggested by the caller that I bring some support with me to the meeting. I had never been involved in anything like this before so I did not understand her advice at the time. I decided to ask Chris to attend the meeting.

There are no words to describe what happened in that meeting that day. It was like an episode of Jerry Springer.

I walked out of the meeting with the feeling of being run over by a semi truck. My whole world was turned upside down in a matter of about sixty minutes.

We both left the meeting in a state of shock. We had planned to go out to lunch afterwards. I don't know how long it had been happening but at one point I realized that Chris was driving in circles. When I asked him where he was going he responded that he did not know. Since neither of us felt like eating anymore, I suggested we just go to my house.

After what seemed like an eternity of both of us just sitting there staring into space, a panic ran over me. Why would anyone sign up for this! Why would any sane person want to stagger through this with me? I don't know how I had the courage but I told him that I totally understood that this was not what he signed up for and I understood if he wanted to walk away. I thank God that without hesitation, Chris told me that he was in it for the long haul and would navigate this season with me.

Galatians 6:2 tells us that the person who is filled with the Holy Spirit is to come alongside and help carry the physical, emotional, or spiritual load threatening to crush his fellow believers. The Greek word for carry in this verse is bastazo which means to bear or endure. Prior to this season I was regularly studying my Bible, attending church, and had what I would call a close, personal relationship with God. It was not long at all into that dark season that I knew God had sent Chris into my life because I would not have been able to bear that burden on my own. I had been studying David for quite some time so I was able to recognize that Chris was my Jonathan. I was a very stubborn, independent woman so I am so thankful that God had placed it in my heart to study 1 Samuel through Kings. I not only learned a great deal during that time, but God showed me that even a mighty king needed someone to walk alongside them at times.

On the other hand, we all need to be a Johnathan in other people's lives. The NIV Life Application Series sums both angles up perfectly. "The body of Christ, the church, functions only when the members work together for the common good. No one should feel excused from the task of helping others."

It is my sincere prayer that through this blog or my podcasts I can be your Jonathan when needed. I am a mess and a sinner desperately in need of a Savior. I am far from where I want to be in my walk with Christ but I am dedicated to working through my mess to find healing and hope. I pray that you can see that in my sharing of those struggles that if God can save and use a sinner like me, He can use you as well.

We all need a Jonathan in our lives. Who is your Jonathan? If you do not have someone who helps bear your burdens, I encourage you to pray that God would send you one.

We all also need to be a Jonathan in life. Who are you a Jonathan for? If you don't have someone who you help bear their burdens, I encourage you to pray for this as well.

Please feel free to leave a comment or a prayer request that I could join you in.