Dear Tom:
I read that the prophet Muhammad once said, “It will be a terrible day in human history when people will not be able to carry their own burdens.” When I read this, I thought of my friend who told me his grandmother once said to him, “Son, the Good Lord doesn’t give you a load you can’t tote.” This wise saying carried me through some very tough times. I should have it framed.
Sometimes we carry a trouble that stays lodged inside our heart. If we suppress our anger it merely finds a new channel in our life to surface. So rather than repress it, we focus the burning power of love in our heart to burn away our anger, our tension, and our hurt. Think of our heart as a crock pot slowly cooking and softening our troubles so they can be released. The heat generated by love in our heart can melt away all our anger and hurt.
This formula doesn’t work for all our troubles. Some yield to a different wisdom. At times, we are called to touch that place in us that can understand the situation or person involved. In this case, understanding draws us outward to a wider loving, healing perspective. In so doing, God enables us to take the pain we are holding to another planet, and make it disappear. What remains, is a broader, deeper understanding of the situation or the individual.
Finally, there are times when love or understanding fail to ease the pain of our tote sack full of burdens. We feel we can no longer take another step down life’s journey. The burden seems unbearable. It is then we call on and open our heart to the strength of God. We call on his miraculous, healing power and a wider, deeper insight into the situation. We simply need to “pass the load.” He is always there to carry it.
Your Friend, Webb
Your grandmother’s words are terrific. He doesn’t give us a burden we can’t tote. I like that very much.
One small note: I grew up hearing people talking about a “tow sack.” Always seemed to me that this must be a big burlap bag. I never knew that it was a TOTE sack.
Mike, growing up I always thought it was a “toe sack.” I envisioned a big burlap bag as well. Maybe the tow sack toted one’s burdens. Great to see you on Sunday a week ago. Keep in touch. Webb