Bear one another’s burdens and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. —Galatians 6:2

This weekend was our annual H2H retreat, and I discovered something: there is only so much you can fit in that little pouch on a knee scooter. A cafeteria tray is definitely not one of those things. 😂

A few weeks ago, I broke my big toe. Now, I know—“a broken toe” doesn’t sound like much. People break toes and keep right on going. Apparently, though, the big toe is a different beast! Mine has meant keeping all weight off that foot and getting around on a knee scooter. Believe me, this was not how I planned to arrive at the retreat.

So this year, things I would normally jump in and do—setting up my classroom, helping with decorations, carrying my food—required someone else’s hands. I even needed help getting my scooter in and out of the car.

Everyone was so kind. I was thankful. And I struggled.

Getting around was one challenge. Being the woman who needed help with practically everything was another.

I’m used to being the one taking care of the details. Letting someone take care of me? That’s a little harder.

Maybe you understand. We want to help, serve, show up, and make life easier for everyone else. But when someone offers us that same kindness, suddenly we’re saying, “Oh, don’t worry about me. I can manage.”

Even when managing is wearing us out.

Sometimes we don’t want to be a burden. Sometimes we’re uncomfortable needing anyone. Sometimes being “the one who can handle it” has become such a part of our identity that we don’t quite know who we are when we can’t.

But Scripture gives us a different picture of life together. Galatians 6:2 tells us to “bear one another’s burdens and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.”

Paul calls believers to help carry what weighs on one another. That instruction reflects the love Jesus commands us to have for each other. It makes room for real needs and real people coming alongside us.

And “one another” includes both sides of the relationship. Sometimes I help carry your burden. Sometimes I let you help carry mine.

A few verses later, Paul also speaks of each person carrying her own load. We still have responsibilities. But personal responsibility doesn’t require us to refuse support when something becomes too heavy to carry alone.

Friend, needing help doesn’t mean you’ve failed at being responsible.

Paul develops this even further in 1 Corinthians 12. He describes the church as a body, with different members who need each other. In verse 21, he says: “The eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee.”

That catches me a little.

I would never want to tell a friend, “I don’t need you.” But I wonder whether my constant insistence that I can do everything myself sometimes leaves very little room for her to care for me.

God designed His people to belong to one another. Each person has something to offer, and each person has needs. Being capable doesn’t cancel our need for community. Being the usual helper doesn’t mean we must always stay in that role.

Then there’s the person offering the help.

Acts 20:35 reminds us of Jesus’ words: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Giving carries a blessing. We know the joy of easing someone’s burden, meeting a need, or helping her feel remembered.

When we receive a willing offer of help, we make room for someone else to experience that joy. Our need can become an opportunity for her to put her love into action.

That doesn’t mean we must accept every offer or ignore our boundaries. But when the help is needed and freely offered, we can receive it with a simple, sincere thank-you. We don’t have to turn it into a debt we must immediately repay.

This weekend, I needed women to do things for me that I couldn’t do for myself. I’m still learning to be comfortable with that. But I’m beginning to see that letting them love on me is part of sharing life with them.

I can thank God for their kindness—and actually receive it.

So, girlfriend, if you’re tired, hurting, or carrying more than you can manage today, you have permission to tell the truth about what you need.

Let someone bring the meal.
Let someone give you the ride.
Let someone carry the tray.

You still belong. You still have something to offer. And you don’t have to earn your place by being the woman who never needs anything.

Your Heart Sister,
Mikki 💜

You’re always willing to help someone else—but how easy is it for you to accept help? Sometimes the hardest part of sharing life is letting someone care for you.

Lord, thank You for making us part of a body where we can care for one another. Help us serve willingly and receive gratefully. When we feel pressure to handle everything ourselves, remind us that You have given us people to share the load. Give us the courage to let them love us. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.