Laying Burdens Down
It’s documented that children shouldn’t carry more than 10 to 15 percent of their total weight in their backpack. Researchers in Spain assessed the backpacks and back health of 1,403 students ages 12 to 17. They concluded that over 60 percent were carrying backpacks weighing more than 10 percent of their body weight. One in four reported suffering back pain for more than 15 days during the previous year. Other conditions included stress fractures in the back and nerve damage in the neck and shoulders.
getting in trouble
One day during class, Adrionna Harris noticed something disturbing—one of her young classmates cutting himself with a small razor. As she perceived it to be a grave situation, she did what she thought was the right thing to do—stepped in, took the razor from him, and threw it away. But instead of receiving praise, her compassionate act earned her a 10-day suspension. Asked if she would do it again, Adrionna replied: “Even if I got in trouble, it didn’t matter because I was helping him . . . I would do it again even if I got suspended.”
laughing gas
Normally I dread having dental work done. But a recent trip to the dentist to repair a fractured tooth may have permanently changed my attitude.
lost
Yesterday I lost my wedding ring. I was splashing about in a river when the wet band apparently slipped off my finger. I’m devastated. I can’t afford to replace what I lost, as the price of gold is at an all time high. But even as I’m feeling sorry for myself, I realize that I’ve lost only my wedding ring—many…
night hours
When our first child was born, my husband determined to share in the care of our child. While we have different parenting strengths and styles, we have carried the responsibilities together, with the exception of one area. My husband decided that although nature’s design made it impossible for him to physically feed our baby, he would at least help with…
need an exchange?
"Come to Me all of you who are tired of carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest, take My yoke and put it on you, and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit and you will find rest. For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I will put on…
help the weak
On April 25, 2003, 13-year-old Natalie Gilbert was singing the United States National Anthem for a National Basketball Association (NBA) playoff game. Shortly into the song, nerves got the best of young Gilbert and she completely blanked on the words. That’s when “Mo” Cheeks, the coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, intervened.
Even though Cheeks couldn’t carry a tune in…
pack mule problem
The mule needed a vacation. Ten times a day, he’d been hauling 500-pound loads to a construction site at the top of a hill. Not surprisingly, the overtired animal finally collapsed. Fortunately for the broken-down beast, a group of concerned onlookers demanded that the mule’s owner give him a 3-day rest.
Everyone needs an occasional break from the burden of…
