Lutheran Woman's Quarterly
Summer 2025 "Bear One Another's Burdens"
Editor's Note
Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).
Most of the women I know, especially Lutheran Women in Mission, are burden-bearers. They have learned the lesson from Galatians well: when you see a need, jump quickly to help. It is a blessing to serve. It is a blessing to share with someone who is “going through.” It is a blessing to bless others with the gifts, talents, and resources with which God has blessed us.
However, there is a flip side to the lesson of bearing one another’s burdens, and that side is one at which many of us are not adept.
I had a friend. We were each other’s sounding boards. She would “do for me” when she could, but when it came to receiving, it was another story. I planned to take her to lunch one day; another day I was going to clean her house when she was hurting. I tried several times with different offerings, but was met each time with an adamant, “You will NOT!”
One lesson I have learned throughout my husband’s hospital stays and treatments is: while we are to bear one another’s burdens, we are also to receive — to cast our care on God and let others be His hands and feet as He cares for us. When we don’t, as one pastor informed his mentee, we not only diminish the relationship we have with another person, it damages it as well. It may keep them from following a God-given need or want to help. In our desire not to be a burden, if we refuse help, we become a stumbling block, preventing one of God's children from learning how to bear others’ burdens. It may even make us prideful enough to diminish our trust in and relationship with God.
Whether you’re an expert burden-bearer or an expert care-receiver, I pray that the stories and studies of burdens borne and caregiving offered in this issue encourage you as you work for Him in His Kingdom.
May the Lord bless you to give and to receive.
Sheila Lutz, Editor-in-Chief
Select Articles Available as Free Downloads
FEATURES
2 | Do You Have Kids?
Mission Possible — About Giving Day 2025
IN EVERY ISSUE
| Editor’s Note
1 | Praying the Psalms
12 | Grants at Work: Zoe's Home or read it online here
13 | 2023–2025 Mission Grants
28 | Shop LWML
29 | President’s Page
BIBLE STUDIES
available to download and print
14 | What Are You Putting On? — Leader Guide
16 | That Human Touch — Leader Guide
18 | El Toque Humano — Estudio Bíblico
| El Toque Humano — Notas del líder
20 | Bearing Life’s Burdens … Together — Bible Study
| Bearing Life’s Burdens … Together — Leader Guide
Future Quarterly Themes
Share your story with us at editor@lwml.org
Winter 2025 (Submit by 7/1/25)
LIVE IN PEACE WITH ONE ANOTHER
Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you (2 Corinthians 13:11). How is it best to agree to disagree — and be loving and peaceful while you disagree? When dealing with negativity, what can you say or do to bring comfort, peace, and positive energy to the situation? Can you respect and rejoice in the God-given differences you and others have?
Spring 2026 (Submit by 10/1/25)
SHOW ONE ANOTHER COMPASSION AND MERCY
This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another’ (Zechariah 7:9). How does praying for your enemies promote a life of mercy? Do you or someone you know have an occupation or lifestyle through which God shows His overflowing compassion? Police officer? Grandmother? Special needs supporter? A unique ministry?
