The house felt cold. Downright frigid, thought Mama Bear as she scurried around in the kitchen. She put on more layers of clothing and, after her work was completed, covered herself with a thick quilt as she sat trying to sew with chilled fingers. She didn’t mention her discomfort, trying not to shiver too visibly.Papa Bear, reading a book in the living room, also noticed a chill in the air. Having just returned home from the hospital, he thought it was just part of his recovery process. Maybe his internal thermostat wasn’t working yet. He didn’t mention his discomfort either.
The three Child Bears were busy, each in his or her own room - writing letters,
studying and using the computer. They noticed fingers and toes were becoming numb with cold but didn’t mention their discomfort either.
When the cold became almost unbearable, our family of five finally began to talk among themselves about how chilled they were.
Suddenly Mama Bear realized that she had turned the heat down in the house three days previously as the spring days seemed warmer. With an arctic blast and snow suddenly upon them, they were chilled to the bone.
Oh, if only they had begun to talk among themselves earlier, sharing how they felt and what they were thinking. Perhaps then a remedy would have been forthcoming sooner.
Do we do what the Bear family did - keep our problems and thoughts to ourselves? Perhaps if we would open up the channels of communication with those closest to us, a remedy as easy as turning up the thermostat would become readily apparent.
Bear one another’s burdens. Galatians 6:2
Heavenly Father, please help me to be more open with those whom You have given me. And please open my eyes and ears to hear and see their burdens, too. In Jesus’ name. Amen
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