“Many hands make light work.” – John Heywood, English playwright and poet
Have you ever used your chin to hold onto a stack of library books? I have… and that’s when I’m just carrying my books!
With plenty of children who love to hear stories read, two of whom are avid readers themselves, trips to the library (on the base, two hours away) would be pretty daunting if I didn’t have my helpers!
Across the street from our house is a grocery store. Next door is a farmers market. How sweet it is to have children who help bring home food that will nourish our family!
More than moving items from Point A to Point B, having children help out in this way is good for their little hearts and souls. 
Helping to carry things…
Burdens, or things that have to be carried, are also a great Biblical metaphor for teaching our children about entrusting Gods with the things in this life that weigh us down. This burden could be anything from sin, an illness, a difficult relationship situation, to a house that doesn’t sell.
Trusting in Him gives us a soul-deep version of the feeling we get when the very straps of our heavy bags are cutting into our hands and dad comes along and carries it the rest of the way home.
Psalms 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
This month’s giveaway is of five kawaii (that means painfully cute in Japanese!) totes so you can carry your things to and from wherever you need to go. There are four smaller totes, a pink bunny, an orange pig, a brown bear and a yellow lion, to encourage your helpers to lend a hand, and a larger tote for you!
To enter, in the comments of this post, please leave a story about carrying something or something being carried for you. The burden could be a physical one or a metaphorical one. Please mention how carrying this burden, or having it carried for you, shaped who you are today. You must leave a pertinent comment to win!
My hope is that this giveaway will encourage others to help bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2) and to trust that the Lord is carrying us through.
1 Peter 5:6-7 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
Want to improve your chances of winning? Add these skills to your giveaway repertoire to gain up to three bonus entries:
Please leave your comment and complete bonus entries by 9PM EST, Friday, March 26, 2010.
The winner will need to provide their mother’s maiden name, social security number, and a valid US credit card number + three digit secret code. JUST KIDDING! I will, however, need their name and mailing address which will be kept strictly confidential.
If they’re agreeable, I’d like to interview the winner and feature them in a future post. I would consider including links in the post to the winner’s blog, favorite cause, home business, etc.
Winning contestants may not enter my subsequent monthly giveaway contests for a year following their win. In other words, if you win in March, 2010, you cannot enter again until March, 2011.
Best wishes! :)
kawaii!
The Lord has really blessed us by lightening our burdens. We have had so many circumstances where we are in need of something and the Lord provides exactly what we need. Our most recent blessing has been our tax return. When our youngest was born we were told we had the insurance to cover his birth. Well, it turned out that we weren’t covered after all. We were pelted with hospital and Dr office bills. We didn’t know what to do. The Lord provided the EXACT amount of money that we needed to pay off that debt. We are SO thankful for his loving kindness to us. He lifts our burdens all the time with out us even realizing its Him who’s doing it. It may be finding a $20 bill in the laundry, just enough to buy the groceries you need that day or bumping into an old friend who will listen to your troubles and give you the encouragement you need to get through it. I am so blessed to have my burdens lifted off of me and put on Him. Psalm 68:19 I’ve been keeping you and your family in my prayers Sarah. Praying you all are well. I hope Thomas has a wonderful birthday!! :)
Oh, the lifting of burdens by our Savior is something I know very well. While walking with Jesus for many, many years, I have experienced much lifting and it is life changing. Right now, the burden of desiring more children and yet not seeing that come to fruition COULD be a burden but Christ is pushing me to not live in the ‘without’ but in the WITH. I am complete in Him, I have an incredible husband and a precious little girl…my life is full. He doesn’t owe me anything and yet if he should bless again, my heart would be even more full!
Thank you for the opportunity to participate.
Blessings,
Teri
I’m so glad I stumbled upon your blog today – what a caring heart you have. I have been looking for something for our family for library time specifically, we always take two trips to get to the car! Having special book bags would be just perfect.
Giving Jesus my burdens right now is a daily choice. On January 8th (not quite two months ago) I lost a baby girl at 18 wks in the womb, birthed her a stillborn, and miss her madly still. The process has been humbling and wretched and beautiful. I’ve been forever changed, wrung out from the inside in a perfect way.
xoxo
.-= To Think Is To Create´s last blog ..Steadfast =-.
someone who carries my burdens(me) is the lord, he is always carrying me even when i sin, hes already forgiven me, and always there to pick me up. he puts people in my life to help me carry my burdens.
also in the early years of my homeschooling my mom was always there to help with my burdens when i didnt have enough money for a bill or a book or needed a ride, sometimes i’d even find groceries left on the doorstep, she was always there to help me and the kids with whatever burden i had.
then i got remarried and there was this fantastic godly man to carry my burdens!! he does it daily!
hi sarah i put your blog on my homeschool blog http://homemade-school.blogspot.com/
debbie(thl)
.-= debbie´s last blog ..First Steps in Reading!! =-.
Praise God for the Burdens he has allowed me to go through and has lifted for me. Every burden or need has always brought me closer to God, and a great way for me to teach my children Gods true love.
Our most current burden was our move. We moved to a new state with no friends, no family and no church. After alot of prayer we had a very successful move, have made friends, and found a great church. What an awesome way to teach my oldest who is 11 if we place our worries, concerns, and fears on God he will carry us through.
There has been many burdens in our family the past few yrs, yet each one has brought us closer to God.
My husband and I are closer than ever, and my family is safe and healthy.
I wanted to thank you for reminding me to Thank God for the burdens he lifted for me today.
Those bags are adorable, if I am not a winner would it be possible to purchase? My daughter (who has Dyslexia) has just finished reading a few books on Japan, and loves the culture, colors, and I would love to give her something like this for her B-day. Thanks.
I didn’t realize exactly how many burdens I expected husband ( a non Christian) to carry until he got hurt and could no longer work. Let me clarify- there was a month period where I expected my injured husband to still do his part around the home after all he could work his job with many restrictions why couldn’t he help do things like push the grocery cart- take out the garbage, mow the grass all the stuff I had gotten used to him doing. I think it was after his 3 E.R. trip that I had my eyes opened by God and the pharmacy papers he had brought home for his medications (yep plural, I think there were 3 this time- 2 pain killers and a mussel relaxer). I realized that help I expected from my husband had become a very painful burden that he would continue to shoulder. We divided the chores he had done between the 4 kids and myself- i mow grass The kids take turns with the garbage- i push the cart and we all carry in groceries- We have learned through the accident much about carrying the burdens of one another both within and outside the home. My children and myself are all more willing to help others physically and spiritually. I am a Christian and ashamed as I look back over the last 7 months. I have been called to be a better and more observant Christian, Wife and Mother as I have learned to carry my own burden and the burdens of others- even temporarily.
I just found your blog from Bethany :) and I know my three littles (and praying for more) will love these totes….but on to the burdens I’d have to say that the time that I had my burdens carried would have been in 2008 (not saying that is the only time LOL) when our oven went out and several other things in the house needed fixing, the children needed clothing not to mention other living expenses things were tight. I have a wonderful who took this to her church, where no one knew us, and they took a love offering. We recieved a check and when she told me I thought it may be $50 but we got it and it was for $500!!!!!! We were able to get an oven and pay other things that needed paid. It was such a blessing and it was such a great thing to know that other Christians were helping us out and we now feel led to help where we can when we can for others wether Christian or not.
I’ve got a blog post up at: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/OhioSarah/771377/
Sarah
SeekingHim@gmail.com
I’ve added your link to my right side bar under blogs I read/follow. You’re at the top :)
Sarah
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/OhioSarah
SeekingHim@gmail dot com
I’ve tweeted: http://twitter.com/SarahJoBailey/status/10396901747
Sarah
SeekingHim@gmail dot com
I also found your blog through Bethany’s.
In addition to the Lord carrying my burdens, my husband carries our financial burdens. I stay at home with the kids, so his income is the only one we have, and it’s a rather modest salary compared to a lot of our friends’ incomes. So, I know his burden goes beyond paying the bills and extends to not buying the newest gadgets and really thinking about his spending when he is out with the guys. And because he does carry this rather large burden, I’ve completely changed my spending habits and really evaluate where my priorities lie in relation to things that cost money – like I’d rather spend a night at home with the kids and hubby and watch a rented movie, rather than getting a sitter and going out to eat with my husband. I think this has really brought us closer together as a family and my kids are learning good money management skills because of it! So, I guess on one hand it’s a burden, but on the other it’s also a blessing! :)
I must say, those bags are super adorable!! And a big LOL to your financial data “requirements”!!
Thanks for the chance to win!
.-= Katie L.´s last blog ..365-070: Geese =-.
I lost two babies through miscarriages in 2007. At the time, I could not understand why they would happen to me.
I had to let this burden go to God, and allow Him to show me how He could turn this tragedy into a blessing. I knew He could but it was very hard to be faithful.
I shared my story and pictures of my baby online, and ever since then- and even today, years later, there are women who email me letting me know that my pictures and stories have helped them through a miscarriage of their own….and even more of a blessing than that is that a few women have emailed letting me know that after reading the story and seeing pictures, they canceled appointments to have abortions, and that they were actually now looking forward to meeting their babies!
I cannot tell you how greatly my burden is lifted each time I receive an email or letter like this. To be able to help other people through their burdens, by simply sharing my own, is a blessing.
I know that there is a purpose in every trial we face in life.
God can certainly work miracles and turn all of our suffering into a blessing, if we will just let Him do His work, and trust that He knows what He is doing.
.-= Bethany´s last blog ..Really Nice Gift I Received Today =-.
Once I was in college and was carrying a ton of stuff and it was cold and very windy. I was trying to figure out how I was going to open the door when I finally got to it. When I was just about to the door, the wind blew it open.
I learned that sometimes when we are carrying a burden, and feel like we are in a storm, it is that very storm that helps us to relieve the burden!!
.-= The Crazy Mom´s last blog ..How About Chocolate Cheerios, Some Recipes, and a SPEED Contest? :) =-.
I am being carried by Jesus right now. Here is why.
My husband is in another state and has been for almost a year now because he could not find work here because of the slow economy. My son Rusty and I were planning on joining him shortly after, but God has not worked it out as WE had planned, so HE has other plans for us. We are Lord-willing moving to where he is this summer.
God is carrying us right now because it is frustrating, confusing, and alot of different emotions being separated from the one you love, but Jesus is taking care of us and is watching over us with His tender arms embracing us!
I love the verse you quoted in your blog, Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” This verse gives me comfort for the present and hope for the future!
May I say, these totes are very cute and I know Rusty would LOVE them, as would I. He loves “storage things” and would put these to very good use! I love seeing my baby happy and these would definitely make him happy.
God bless you!
Hi Sarah! I know the giveaway date has already passed, but for some reason I really feel like sharing the joy of this message with you. After reading about this giveaway that you associated with burdens I really almost felt cared for in a way. Funny how God works huh?
I am 20 years old and a Ballet dance major at Belhaven University on a year long leave of absence because of a physical condition we have not yet technically diagnosed. This condition affects my autonomic nervous system which controls involuntary body processes such as breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, etc. I fatigue very easily and my symptoms worsen with most kinds of minimal physical exertion. I wake up in the morning and have difficulty breathing, am very dizzy, and often have to be careful walking up any kind of staircase because it makes me feel dizzy, fatigued and out of breath. I had to discontinue my training in order to find a medical solution.
Right now, I am still not medicated and my mother and I have had a very hard time trying to get a doctor who is willing to help me instead of give me a quick diagnosis that does not help. I cannot dance to the extent I used to because my body cannot handle it. However, God has called me to dance and of this I have been sure of since I was very young; I have not stopped dancing. I still dance even though it results in incredible fatigue and breathing difficulties. But I know I am fighting a battle against the enemy who is trying to discourage me from my powerful calling. Psalms has been really speaking to me–particularly Psalm 18. Verses like “I love you, O Lord, my strength.” (18:1), or “It is God that girdeth me with strength and maketh my way perfect.”(v.32),
(Psalm 28:7-8)
7 The LORD is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy
and I will give thanks to him in song.
8 The LORD is the strength of his people,
a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.
Psalm 29:11 – “The Lord gives strength to his people. The Lord blesses His people with peace.”
Psalm 138:3
“When I called, you answered. You made me stout and boldhearted.”
I don’t mean to be long, but verses like these have tremendously helped me. I’ve called out to the Lord and He has answered me. He has told me He is going to take care of me. He reminds me of how much He Loves ME! And what can I do but absolutely rejoice in Him no matter what the circumstance. There are many days I wake up and feel as if I cannot take anymore. As if I have undergone too much of this pain. I am tired of being strong, tired of trying–but on those days–God proves to me how much more He is my strength. He proves to me that He can carry me through. And I love Hi for it.
I have actually found myself being thankful for this season in my life. I have never grown so close to the Lord as I have than through this experience. I love Him so and He Loves me more than I can know. I am so glad to know His love and really know who He is and feel His gigantic loving arms carry through my trials.
So I wanted to share this with you, maybe because you needed to hear it, or maybe simply to bless you with what God has done in someone else’s life way across the world. But I would love to hear from you and I thank you for what you wrote about burdens. Because I understood what you wrote, and sometimes that little understanding can make such a big difference. I am reminded that I am not the only one who is suffering, and that God is always here with and for all of us. Loving us, carrying us, taking us in His arms and taking us up into His grace because we are His loved children–and He will never forsake us or let us go..
Thank you for sharing. :)
P.S. Hope to hear from you. :)
-Nina Chong
FrozenSummerRain@gmail.com
http://www.shewrites.com/profile/NinaChong
http://www.twitter.com/NinaInTheRain
.-= Nina Chong´s last blog ..Oh So Far–I’m still a crazy fool but I.. =-.
I just found your blog from Bethany :) and I know my three littles (and praying for more) will love these totes….but on to the burdens I’d have to say that the time that I had my burdens carried would have been in 2008 (not saying that is the only time LOL) when our oven went out and several other things in the house needed fixing, the children needed clothing not to mention other living expenses things were tight. I have a wonderful who took this to her church, where no one knew us, and they took a love offering. We recieved a check and when she told me I thought it may be $50 but we got it and it was for $500!!!!!! We were able to get an oven and pay other things that needed paid. It was such a blessing and it was such a great thing to know that other Christians were helping us out and we now feel led to help where we can when we can for others wether Christian or not.