“Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

As a child, I remember my father telling us stories of his life growing up in a small town during the depression.  One of the stories was about a man named Armand Cariveaux.  He was a neighbor who came to him for help.  Cariveaux, as my Father called him, was married with twelve children.  My Father was still single and in his early twenties.

Cariveaux came down the dirt driveway and stopped in front of my Father. “LaJambe”, my Father’s last name, we’re starving to death.  My Father, who was very resourceful, said “Cariveaux, go to the barn and get some gunny sacks and twine”.  “What for,” he asked. “Never mind” my Father replied.  They both jumped on my Father’s Indian motorcycle, which had no muffler, and drove to the neighbors’ farm.

My Father explained that Cariveaux was starving to death, and could they spare a couple chickens?  The first farmer gave them two chickens; the second gave them three.  One man wanted to know how many chickens his neighbors had given.  My Father said “never mind, just give what you want.”

After travelling around the countryside, they had collected twelve chickens.  My Father told Cariveaux that with this many chickens, you should have quite a few eggs.  After a few weeks, my Father saw him and asked how the chickens were laying?  Cariveaux said, “We ate them all up”.  My Father then helped Cariveaux and his family get aid from the County. As I grew older, I heard many stories from others of how my Father had helped them during the depression.  From him I learned how important it is to be our brothers’ keeper.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we ask that You open our eyes to the needs of others.  Lord, give us a generous heart so we may ease the burdens of our Brothers and Sisters.  In Christ we pray. Amen.