The Burden of Caring

While lying in bed at 5:30 the other morning, praying for the Lord to relieve the pain in my knee, I began to think of others that needed prayer; those who had graver concerns than my own. After praying for quite some time, I found myself caught up in the trials and challenges of those I care about greatly; family, friends, and the "sheep" in our parish. Suddenly, I became so overwhelmed with the burden of caring. I thought to myself, it is too great, I cannot bear up under the burden of this concern. Crying out to the Lord, I reminded him that he is our source for everything. The source for everyone. The source of provision. The source of healing. The source of comfort during our times of sorrow. The source of our joy. I cannot meet these needs in the ones for which I care so deeply. It is beyond me to bring relief, nor would I want to if the Lord is using a particular "thing" to bring about spiritual growth in a person's life. All of this brought me to the thought of the Burden of Caring.
Christ was and is the great burden bearer. He said, "Come unto me all ye that are weak and heavy laden and I will give you rest." Our Christ who trod the road to Calvary, beneath the load of a cross that represented the sin of the whole world, knows the true burden of caring. He cared enough that he gave us his all - his very life.
The load of care that Christ bore brought him to his knees. In his human form, he was unable to carry that load alone. Simon of Cyrene was implored to help him carry the cross the rest of the way to Calvary. I am thankful that he does not expect us to carry our burden of caring alone. I am reminded of a song - "It's No Wonder." "It's no wonder that he stumbled as he walked up Calvary's road. It's no wonder that he cried out as the blood from his side flowed. It's no wonder all heaven blackened as all sin crushed the divine. It's no wonder my life was transformed, when I saw those sins as mine..." He's been there, he knows the weight, he understands.
The load of care that Christ carried did not distract him from his goal. Though with a heavy heart, he continued to trod up that hill. He continued to carry the burden of caring for the mother he was leaving behind, for the disciples, for the faithful followers. His caring did not stop when he was nailed to the cross. He cared for the thief, the Roman soldiers who were crucifying him, for the officials who had condemned him to death. He continues to care, and intercedes for us before the throne.
We cannot escape our burden of caring, but we can ask Him to help us carry our load. We can ask Him to give us the strength and the grace to fulfil the task that he has set before us.
Some of us our born as "fixers." From the time we were old enough to care about others we felt obligated to make sure that everything was alright for everyone else. Those of us who are "fixers" feel a greater obligation when it comes to the Burden of Caring. As the oldest of three children, I always felt it my duty to make sure everyone was happy, safe, off to school on time, taken care of so that mom would not get upset. For if mom wasn't happy, nobody was happy. She worked at the hospital all night and tried to get a few winks of sleep during the day, with one eye open of course. It was in my best interest to see that all ran smoothly. This has carried over into my adult life. I still want to be a "fixer." But I am often reminded that there are some things in life I just can't fix. There is someone in my life right now that suffers from this "fixer" complex too. The reason for my concern is that she is allowing it to hinder her from doing the real task that God has called her to do. My heart goes out to her and I want to tell her so badly, "Just let it go. Don't try to control it all. Let yourself off the hook. You're not responsible for that person's actions." But, alas, I know it will do no good for she is a "fixer." I turn to the Lord and I ask him to help her see that he is the true source of help for this person she cares for deeply. The Lord has to often remind us "fixers" that He is in control, not us. Care, but don't let it become an overwhelming hinderance to the true task you are called to do.
The reading, "Footprints" says that when there is only one set of footprints in the sand, it is because he is carrying us. He never forsakes us to carry the burden of caring alone. It is alright to cast the burden upon him. His shoulders are big enough to carry it all. You can rest, and you won't even have to leave one eye open. Have a little faith...and continue to care for others, for Jesus is always there to share the load. He doesn't expect us to carry the weight of the Burden of Caring alone, he WANTS us to ask him for help. It is our prayers that move his hand to action in the lives of those that mean so much to us.
I close with the song, "Prayer is the key to heaven, but faith unlocks the door. Words are so easily spoken, but prayer without faith is like a boat without an oar. So have faith when you pray to the Father, that's all he's asking for. Prayer is the key to heaven, but faith unlocks the door."