My own "Samwise Gamgee" (Everyone should have one!)

One of my favorite moments in "The Return of the King" (Lord of the Rings) is when Sam and Frodo

are struggling uphill towards their goal, bleeding, dirty, discouraged...Frodo can't walk anymore. But he's the only one that can deliver the ring to its destruction.  Sam would like to help him carry the burden; however, Frodo knows HE  must be the one...but he can't make it.  Gathering what little strength is left in him, Sam says, "Come, Mr. Frodo!  I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you!"  And that's how they finished their quest.
                  *************************
I have a personal Samwise Gamgee.  I've had him for 46 years, and he has become more and more "Samwise-ish" as my health has little by little been losing ground.  When my husband was away for almost three weeks this summer, among the things I did to keep myself "busy" was re-watch the Lord of the Rings movies.  When we got to the moment I've just mentioned, my eyes teared up, and I thought, "My husband is my Sanwise Gamgee!"  Let me explain a bit.

Having several chronic illnesses, I have reduced energy, daily pain, and am always tired, with little stamina.  Germán always tries not to weigh me down, does things like keeping the dishes washed during the day, takes care of garbage disposal, runs all the errands, tends to brush off any comment from me about not having been able to cook this or that...saying I should only do what I feel I can, and to please rest when I need. He will readily order food in if I am not feeling up to cooking, or bring home take-out.  His whole demeanor is one of doing his part to make my days easier.  (He also tells me he loves me numerous times a day!)

You see, he knows that he cannot carry my sickness, the pain I live, the frustration I feel as I seem to lose ground...but he can do all that is in his reach to "carry" ME!  To make my life easier if he can, to encourage me, to cheer my sadness, to give me some of his strength...and, above all, to intercede for me with our Father.  (And he does this as he struggles with health issues of his own.)
                                           **********************************

Jesus said, "This is my commandment, that you love and unselfishly seek the best for one another, just as I have loved you."  (John 15:12)  This includes helping others to carry their burdens, and if necessary, "carrying" them.  (No, it isn't easy, since we have loads of our own!)

But don't be afraid to be a Samwise Gamgee to any "Frodo" God brings you, because if you walk with Jesus, you walk with the Source of strength, hope, joy, trust.  You walk with the One who loves you so much that He says, 

 "Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke on you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul.:  (Matthew 11:28-29)
                                             ************************
                                                   
And here's the best part:  the whole time we are helping others, "carrying" those who need it while bearing our own burdens, our Father will carry us!

                                   "I am He who will sustain you. 
                             I have made you and I will carry you."  (Isaiah 46:4)
                                                **************