The Burden of a Camper

Many years ago we acquired a camper. We loved it, but sadly found out that it was too heavy for our truck, as such we only ever used it once. Since that time it has taken up a parking space in our driveway for many years. We talked about selling it, but that never happened and so we arranged to give it away. However, even that was slow in coming. We have worked, and cleaned, and walked around this camper for so many years that it has almost been taken for granted as a permanent fixture in our yard. In fact we even started using it as a storage shed when needed.

This week however we decided it needed to go. We arranged for it to be picked up and then spent the morning cleaning it out again, and making sure that it would be as easy as possible to load. I remember when we picked it up all those years ago. Chad and I were alone, and we struggled and strained, and stressed, and pushed and pulled to get that thing into the back of the truck. It was a task almost too big for us to accomplish together. I knew from that experience that it was very heavy and hard to manage. I completely anticipated that it would be similar today.

When the trailer we were loading it on arrived, I was absolutely amazed at how quickly and easily it was loaded. Besides Chad and I there were five other people. My younger children who were helping commented that they hadn't done anything and that they felt like they had hardly even pushed. In a very very short time it was all loaded and gone from our driveway. Oh how wonderful it felt to have our driveway back and to have that space opened up and available for us to use again. There was a light happy feeling in my heart. Gladness with overwhelming feelings of gratitude toward those who had helped us in the task. 

Speaking for myself I have wanted this camper gone for a long time. However, the task was much larger than I myself alone could accomplish. In order for it to be accomplished I needed help and assistance.

As I have reflected on today's experience, I recognize a gospel truth. The camper represents the burdens we carry. By myself that burden was too heavy, two large, and simply too much for me to get rid of on my own. I had to have help. We each have help available to us, that will assist us in getting rid of those large, overwhelming and difficult burdens that we carry. That help is available through our Savior, Jesus Christ. And we don't have to wait years for him to come and assist us. He will be there for us the moment we ask him to be. 

Just like my family helped and assisted me in lifting that camper up off the ground, we have families and individuals in our lives who help and assist us as we seek to draw closer to our Savior and put our burdens behind us forever. I had to work, I had to strain, and I had to do my part, but with the help, strength, and support of my family members the burden was that much easier to rise above and overcome. Of course everyone knows that repentance requires effort. But when we have people who love us, and are cheering for us, supporting us, strengthening us and helping us move forward, it is so much easier to change our lives and draw closer to the Savior as we strive to complete the process of repentance. Just like our camper, it is so much more easily loaded and taken away when you have people helping and supporting you.

As our burdens are lifted, and removed from our backs, we feel lighter, happier, and so much more joyful. These feelings are similar to the feelings I felt as the camper was removed from our driveway. It opened up so much space. Repentance does this too. Repentance gets rid of the evil tendencies and sins we carry around, and helps us to open ourselves up to higher possibilities. I am so grateful for the power of repentance and for He who made it possible, even Jesus Christ.