Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NLT)

Laughter reverberated through the mountains as our party of nine tossed our inner tubes in the swift river waters. I was excited but a little cautious because my children would experience this exhilarating yet dangerous rush with us. We gingerly lowered ourselves in the frigid water while nervous titters of laughter snuck out.
My family had no problems maneuvering their tubes through the swift rapids down the creek. I experienced a bit of delay as I managed to hit every rock in the riverbed. This was supposed to be a fun family activity but most of my family was hundreds of yards ahead of me! My tube was firmly lodged on a huge rock when my daughter floated past and called out, “Rock it, Mama, rock it!”
“Funny joke,” I muttered under my breath. Aloud, I shouted back, “I AM rocking it! I’ve hit every rock in here! I’m the most rocking mom ever!!!”

She giggled, spinning and careening down the rapids and around the bend. I dislodged my tube and  floated down the river to the end where my family waited. Ignoring the teases, I challenged them to another trip down the creek. We hiked up the mountain alongside the creek and I reflected on the first trip. There must be a better way down the river without getting caught on every obstacle in my path.

I discovered the secret our second trip.

This time, my 4-year old reached out and grasped firmly to my tube handles and every time one of us got caught on a rock, the other would swing around; the weight and momentum would free us off the rock to continue down the river. We danced down the river in our tubes, sometimes avoiding obstacles, and other times colliding into huge rocks, but the firm grasp of my helper set us free every time.

The secret was two–two people helping each other!

Sometimes in the river of life, we manage to hit every obstacle in the way–parenting struggles, disagreements with our spouse, challenges at work, the promotion we didn’t receive, the affirmation we didn’t get, insecurities…

The secret to being freed from those burdens is in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10: “Two are better than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.”

God never intended for us to bear our burdens alone. He promises help when two or more work together. When we are struggling, reach out to that trusted friend who has your best interest at heart. Firmly grasp ahold of them, lifting one another up in prayer and helping each other through those difficult struggles. The secret is out–two are better than one.