How To Carry Your Burdens

A monarch of long ago had twin sons. There was some
confusion about which one was born first. As they
grew to young manhood, 
the king sought a fair way to designate one of them
 as crown prince. All who knew the young men
thought them equal in intelligence, wit, personal charm,
health, and physical strength. 
Being a keenly observant king, he thought he
 detected a trait in one which was not
shared by the other. 

Calling them to his council chamber one day, he said,
"My sons, the day will come when one of you must
succeed me as king. The burdens of sovereignty
are very heavy. To find out which of you 
is better able to bear them cheerfully, I am sending
you together to a far corner of the kingdom. One
of my advisors there will place equal
burdens on your shoulders.
My crown will one day go to the one who first
returns bearing his burden like a king should." 

In a spirit of friendly competition, the brothers
 set out together.  Soon they overtook an aged
woman struggling under a burden that seemed
far too heavy for her frail body. One of the boys 
suggested that they stop to help her.
The other protested: "We have a burden of our
own to worry about. Let us be on our way." 

The objector hurried on while the other stayed behind
 to give aid to the aged woman. Along the road,
from day to day, he found others who also needed
help. A blind man took him miles out of his way, 
and a lame man slowed him to a cripple's walk. 

Eventually he did reach his father's advisor, where
 he secured his own burden and started home with
it safely on his shoulders.
When he arrived at the palace, his brother met him
at the gate, and greeted him with dismay.
He said, "I don't understand. I told our 
father the burden was too heavy to carry.
However did you do it?" 

The future king replied thoughtfully, "I suppose
when I helped others carry their burdens,
I found the strength to carry my own." 
~~~~ Author Unknown ~~~~

Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so
 fulfil the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked:
for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Matthew 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.