He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother

September 18, 2008

Looking at the podium to see who the last speaker of our sacrament meeting was met by a huge bear yawn from me. Oh great, I thought. High Council speakers seemed to add an extra 30 minutes to the meeting. I was getting antsy to go home and have lunch and Jacs was trying with all her might to crawl under our bench.

This member of the high council was no different. As he talked my mind drifted to the many tasks that I needed to accomplish for the week. I thought about the unfolded laundry pile and what we should have for lunch. Jacs was getting more restless, and I was too. I glanced at the speaker just as he was telling a story of some youth in our stake. Several years ago a group of about 20 young men (including Tim- a short handicapped boy with a great attitude and John- a gargantuous boy who played football at the local high school.) These young men hiked up to a waterfall- some of the leaders staying back with Tim to help him up the rocky slopes. Tim never once complained about the trek- despite the fact that it was so much harder on his poor, frail body. Once the whole group was at their watery destiniation they had a picnic lunch and enjoyed the beautiful green scenery. Then it was time for the descent- the leaders very concerned about Tim knowing that this would be a harder trip for him to make. As they were contemplating this issue, they noticed John walking towards them. He scooped up Tim with his massive arms, put him on his back, and without saying a word continued his journey downward. One of the leaders (who happened to be the high council speaker) approached him after the long hike back with great humility and appreciation for the task. John reassured him that it was no problem at all- it was no load.

So you can tell my interest was peaked at this point… the speaker went on to conclude with the lyrics from the oldies song “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother“.

The road is long
With many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where
Who knows where
But I’m strong Strong enough to carry him

He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother

His welfare is of my concern
No burden is he to bear
We’ll get there

For I know
He would not encumber me
He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother

If I’m laden at all
I’m laden with sadness
That everyone’s heart
Isn’t filled with the gladness
Of love for one another

It’s a long, long road
From which there is no return
While we’re on the way to there
Why not share

And the load
Doesn’t weigh me down at all
He ain’t heavy he’s my brother

How many times do we look at serving our fellowman as a hard task? If we truly thought of each other as brothers and sisters, wouldn’t we (and shouldn’t we) be more willing to help each other along this journey called life?

Posted in About Keri, Family Fun