As Greta approached, Astrid lifted her chin but couldn’t stop the tears. Greta’s own tears began to slide down her cheeks. Though her sister started to back away, Greta pulled her into an embrace, wrapping her tightly. “Oh, Astrid.”

The child held herself stiffly for only a moment before she hugged Greta in return, releasing broken sobs. They held each other for a while, until Astrid’s sobs tapered to sniffles. Greta knelt, pulled the girl down onto her lap, and kissed her head.

Wyatt was leaning against one of the boulders and had Chase in his arms. He seemed in no hurry, willing to give her the time she needed to make things right with Astrid.

“I haven’t been a very good example to you,” Greta whispered. “I’ve been worrying for too long about burdening everyone around me, and all that’s done is made you worry about the same.”

As Astrid snuggled in closer, gratefulness welled up within Greta. Help me, Father in heaven, to do better in the future and show Astrid that she isn’t a burden.

She lifted her prayer hesitantly and then caught herself. She had to stop believing she was a burden, especially to God with her prayers.

“You know what?” She combed the wet tangles away from Astrid’s face. “Being your big sister and taking care of you has made me into a better person.”

“It has?” Astrid’s voice wobbled.

“Yes, all the hardships we’ve faced have made me stronger. Watching you fight your sickness with such courage inspires me to be braver. Seeing you live with such joyfulness makes me appreciate each day all the more. I wouldn’t be who I am today without you in my life.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

Astrid released a sigh.

Greta’s eyes welled again with tears. “So don’t think I’d be better off without you. Because that’s not true at all.”

“Okay.”

She couldn’t keep from smiling at Astrid’s easy acceptance of the truth. Why couldn’t it be as easy for her to have such childlike faith that everything would be alright?

“Maybe we can help each other,” Greta suggested.

Astrid pulled back. The anger was gone from her silvery blue eyes, and they were filled with hope. “How can I help you?”

“Whenever we start to feel as though we’re bothering someone, Judd told me to think on the Scripture that says: ‘Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee.’”

“Cast our burdens on the Lord? Like casting a line when we’re fishing?”

Greta brushed Astrid’s hair again. “I guess it’s a little bit like that. We toss our burdens way out into the deep flowing waters, and let Him carry them.”

Astrid smiled. “I like that.”