JANUARY 21, Galatians 6:2

Jason, Tom, and the rest of the class listened as Brother Milton finished giving instructions for the day’s hike. Soon they were on their way. They were having a great time as they hiked along, sometimes walking easily on the well-beaten trail; sometimes scrambling over fallen branches or making their way around them. “This is cool!” exclaimed Jason. “Beat you to the next bend in the trail, Tom!” But as Jason started off, he tripped on a tree root and down he went! “Ouch!” he cried, grabbing his ankle. Brother Milton hurried over as Jason stood up. “I think I can walk okay,” said Jason, gingerly testing his ankle.

“All right, but no racing for a while,” said Brother Milton.

“It will be easier for him if he doesn’t have to carry the extra weight of his backpack,” said Tom. “I will carry it for him.” “Me, too,” chimed in several other voices.

“Thank you, boys,” said Brother Milton. So for the rest of the hike, the boys took turns carrying Jason’s backpack.

At the end of the hike, the boys built a campfire, and after a meal of roasted hot dogs, Brother Milton led in a short time of devotions. “What you boys did today for Jason reminds me of what Jesus tells us to do,” he said. “In life, we each carry our own ‘backpack’ of responsibilities and problems – our own ‘burden’– but if any one of us has a load that is too heavy, the others ought to help carry it until that person is able to bear it alone again. You helped Jason physically, and Jesus wants us to help others spiritually as well. Think of a few ways kids like you get burdened down and what you could do to help.”

After a moment, Jason raised his hand. “Some kids get into trouble by running around with kids who do bad things,” he said. “Maybe we could include them in our groups.”

“We could make friends with new kids at school,”offered Tom,“and invite them to our activities!” “If somebody’s skipping church and Sunday school a lot, we can try to get him to come back,” said Pete. “We could pray for kids, too.”

Brother Milton nodded. “All good suggestions,” he said.

Thought: Do I help others? Willingly?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, teach me to willingly help others for this is how I can grow in my spiritual life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.