Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

He had it all—the most popular boy in the eighth grade, a natural athlete, and a magnetic personality. She, on the other hand, was different. Quirky, unique, and often left out. They were both in my homeroom. Every morning, she tried her best to get his attention.

Then, tragedy struck. Her father took his own life. She wasn’t at school the next day. Before I even had time to process how to support her, he was at my classroom door.

“Mrs. P, what are we going to do? I know she has to be heartbroken!” 

His voice was urgent, his concern genuine. 

“I have an idea. If I take up money from our homeroom, can you get her something Harry Potter or Justin Bieber themed? I know she loves both.”

Of course, I said yes. By the next day, he had collected enough for me to pick out gifts we knew she would love.

A few days later, he had another idea. 

“Her dad’s funeral is Saturday. Do you think I can get everyone in our homeroom to come?”

We spread the word. And when Saturday came, so did many of her classmates. She smiled through her grief at their unexpected support for her. But as I watched, I noticed her scanning the crowd, looking for him.

He wasn’t there.

Then, just as I started to wonder, he arrived, tucking in his shirt, making sure he looked presentable. His father pulled me aside.

“Mrs. Preston, I’m so sorry he was late. His mom has been in jail. She rarely gets visitation rights, and today was the first time he’s seen her in months. But he cut it short because he wanted to be here for that girl.”

I turned to see him walk straight to her, with no hesitation. Without a word, he wrapped her in a hug. Tears welled in his eyes as he whispered, “It’s going to be okay. We’re all here for you. I’m here for you.”

And he was.

This young man lived out Galatians 6:2 in a way that humbled me. He saw a burden, and he carried it. No one told him to. No one expected him to. He just did. May we all have hearts like his—hearts that see the hurt around us and do something about it.

Lord, thank You for the ways You reveal love through our students. Give us eyes to see those who are hurting and the courage to do something about it. May we carry each other’s burdens, just as You carry ours. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Copyright Morgan Preston.

Morgan is a former middle school language arts and social studies teacher. She is currently Christian Educators’ Director of Marketing and Communications and serves her middle school students and teachers through First Priority.