Bear One Another's Burdens

 July 4, 2020

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REFLECTION

I Can Do It Myself!

by Mary McGinnis

In October of 2004, several women at my new church invited me to attend a women’s retreat, but I was hesitant to go. I had been through some difficult times in my marriage, and as result I had become exceptionally good at keeping people at a distance. I did not want to let people in, to allow them to see the dysfunctional mess I was in, especially those whom I attended church with every Sunday. But I finally decided to say YES to attending the retreat.

For 3 days I sat at a table with 7 other women. We would listen to talks from various women from the group. They shared their stories and taught us about the importance of daily turning our hearts toward God, studying God’s Word, and following His lead in putting our faith into action.

At the beginning of day 3, I was feeling awesome. I felt armed and ready to put many of these new ideas and insights into my life. I thought, “I can do this! I can make some changes and it will be all be great!” 

Then came the talk that changed everything. The woman speaking said these words, “An isolated Christian is a paralyzed Christian.”  

The words stung, piercing a tiny hole in the nicely fashioned cocoon I had wrapped myself in for YEARS. A well of tears came streaming down my face like water flowing through the crack of a dam.

Following the retreat, I was encouraged to connect myself with a small group, but again, I was hesitant. How could I possible allow people to see how messed up I was?  “Besides,” I thought, “I can do it myself.” With much persistent love from my church family, I soon I found myself in a small group. 

Little did I know that God was preparing me, putting people in place to help carry me.  In January of 2006, I discovered that my husband was having yet another affair. This time I filed for divorce.

I was so foolish to think that “I could do it myself!” The unweaving of a 25-year dysfunctional marriage was going to be like trying to carry a B2 Bomber all by myself. It was a burden I was not going to be able to bear alone.

My small group and extended church family saw me through the next few years of healing, finding a new job, deciding about when to start dating, the whole dating process, the 2 year agony of selling my house, and the celebration of my wedding day to my new amazing husband in May of 2009.

I am so incredibly grateful to my friends who never gave up on me, even when I wanted to keep pushing them away. I am so incredibly grateful to MY GOD who places people in my life to help me carry my burdens. With JOY, I now too want to use my life to help carry the overwhelming burdens others are facing in their lives. 

PRAYER PRACTICE – Intercession

Spend time bearing the burdens of others. Pray that God would be with them through whatever difficulties they face so that they can grow in faith in the midst of the trial.