Carrying big loads

When I leave the UK to return to Afghanistan my mum gives me a pile of cards for me to open, one for every month until I visit her again.  This month my card had a picture of a person trying to lift an elephant on the front.  My mum said it reminded her of my nephew who is just over 1 and trying to pick up things that are much bigger than him, she also said it reminded her of me as most things are bigger than me too!

Here in Afghanistan I often see people carrying, pulling or driving loads that are much bigger than them and the effort looks huge.

Life also can be an big load, the effort it takes to cook, heat and keep a house clean in this sometimes very cold, very dusty climate is mammoth.  When cleanliness is a step towards godliness this is a very important task.

Then there are the burdens of responsibilities, responsibility to be a good husband, providing for your family when the cost of living is high and wages are low.  The burden to be a good wife, by keeping a clean home, and raising children (especially boys), when the work is endless and you just don't get pregnant.

For me I've been feeling the burden of my job recently, the burden to help other people thrive here, to make decisions about others' futures and to be a good advisor.

But as I think about these burdens I know I am not given more than I can bear, and that I have a God who helps me to carry the load and this gives me hope and courage for my burdens and for other peoples'.