The Burden

 

The Burden

I got a great haircut today although a different lady than the one spoken of here did the honors! This is from April 10, 2009, eleven days after the passing of my mom. 

There was no school today due to Easter weekend. I did two things I haven't done in quite awhile. Our apartment pool opened back up today and I ran thirty minutes in chin deep water for the first time since November. After the water workout, I went for a haircut. This is what amazed me: the Vietnamese lady who cuts my hair already knew about Mom dying! A brother from our congregation whose hair she also cuts told her several days ago. The whole time she was cutting my hair, she was speaking of Mom (and Dad) and I think she was on the verge of tears. She felt so bad for me! Her English is broken and I could not make sense of all she said but I am sure of this- she was grieving on my behalf. What a great example for Christians. We are repeatedly admonished to bear each other's burdens and weep with those who weep but I guess I have mostly considered that applicable to simply other Christians, close friends, and family. I don't think this lady knows my name as she simply refers to me as 'Teacher.' But she honored me by her grief and in doing so, honored my family. And, I got a very good haircut, too!

Applicable quote of the day:
"When it seems that our sorrow is too great to be borne, let us think of the great family of the heavy-hearted into which our grief has given us entrance, and inevitably, we will feel about us, their arms and their understanding."
Helen Keller

God bless,
Steve
Luke 18:1