February 24, 2018

Help One Another

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. – Galatians 6:2

I am blessed to find myself surrounded by a tribe of good and wonderful people. Most are not related by blood but they are the truest of true when it comes to being faithful.

Do you have your own tribe? Everyone needs people who will drop everything and come when they are needed. Everyone needs people who will love them no matter what. Everyone needs people who will speak truth and kindness into their lives. And everyone needs people who know when all we really need is a listening ear and an open heart.

Some people try to do life alone. It’s a hard journey.  We allow our pride or self-reliance to dictate our steps. Can you imagine the loneliness?

Others allow fear to hold them back. What if they are rejected for their failings? What if others condemn their insecurities, their past, their mistakes? It could happen. Maybe it has happened.

Building a tribe isn’t an easy road. That probably isn’t what you want to hear. Sometimes we make the mistake of trusting the wrong person. That doesn’t mean we should give up. We need each other.

How do we help each other? Sometimes it’s simply listening to the cries of a broken heart. Sometimes it is offering practical assistance with a task at hand. Other times it is by offering godly counsel.

We probably all know someone who thinks he’s got it together. He’s quick to tell you what to do. He’s determined to live your life right along with his own life. He would never make the mistakes you’ve made.

For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load. – Galatians 6:3-5

Don’t let anyone’s grandiose boasts make you think they’ve never made mistakes and never needed help. They have. Each of us is responsible for our own journey. Failing to understand that comes from pride and arrogance.

So does this notion that we must live up to the standards of other people. The thing about standards and expectations others hold up for us is that they are impossible for anyone, including the person looking down on us. Life is messy and wrought with traps that will trip us up. We need people who will help us, not weigh us down with their rules and regulations.

“They (the Pharisees) tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.” – Matthew 23:4

We all go through different seasons of life. Some of those seasons are awesome and we feel a strength that can only come from God. Other seasons are filled with stress and worry, when we struggle to remember God’s promises over our lives. It is then when we most need someone to speak truth into our midst. We need to be reminded that we are not alone, we do have worth, this season will pass.

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

– Romans 15:1

I hope you have a group of supporters who love and cherish you. And I hope you are that for others. It is truly a blessing beyond words.

February 6, 2018

Do What's Inconvenient

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

It was an ordinary outpatient procedure, albeit in a different hospital than the one we were accustomed to. After all that had happened, this was just so very minor.

We had found our way to the right place. We’d done the paperwork (There is always paperwork!) and waited our turn. We followed a nurse down a long hallway, my parents and I. Mother was readied for the procedure and there we sat. And sat. And sat.

My Dad was never one to miss a meal so he headed across the street to a fast food restaurant, promising to bring something back for me. We were still sitting there when he returned. Mother got more aggravated with each passing moment. We’d been in that shabby room for hours.

Finally! A nurse came to collect her. And another nurse informed my Dad and I that we would need to move to the appropriate waiting room, some distance away. I gathered up all our things: Mother’s purse and mine, another bag with snacks, medicine and paperwork, two jackets, her walking stick, yet another bag with her clothes and my Diet Coke. I looked over at my Dad. He carried his Diet Coke in one hand and tightly clutched a bag carrying a second burger in the other hand. Away we went.

This was quite normal in my world, me laden down with everyone’s things. I sure wish I’d had a camera ready, though, to take a photo of the volunteer’s face when we finally entered the correct waiting room. Her eyes opened wide and her mouth fell open as I entered, balancing everything so I could hold the door open for my Dad.

I just shrugged. She shook her head. Welcome to my world.

The other day I drove my cousin to see her daughter who was in a hospital ICU some distance away. People told me I was kind. What a good thing, someone said. It was my turn to shake my head. Of course, I’d driven her. I didn’t need praise for doing it. She wasn’t able to drive herself and she needed to go.

The real question for me was why no one else had offered to drive her. I wasn’t the only one who could have done so. I wasn’t the only relative or friend or church member. There were plenty who could have helped. They chose not to.

We’re always ready to do our part so long as it doesn’t inconvenience us. We’re happy to help by writing a check or doing something fun. But, honestly, there’s nothing fun about a long drive and a day in the hospital.

The Bible has numerous accounts of Jesus being inconvenienced by others. He didn’t seem to mind. He never pushed his obligations off on someone else. He never dismissed someone in need with the obligatory “I’ll pray for you.” Jesus did what He could where He was. How can we do anything less?

I’m not saying we should all do everything someone else asks us to do. I’m not suggesting that we should attempt to meet every need in this fallen world around us. But neither is it okay to stay in our insulated little world and let someone else always step up to do what we can but won’t.

We are to carry each other’s burdens. Anybody can be there for the celebratory meal or the grand event. Be there during the tough times. Make the sacrifices. Roll your sleeves up and work. That’s when your true faith emerges. That’s when your blessings abound.

Friday, December 30, 2011

Give Jesus Your Load

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.” -- Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)

Some days God speaks -- loudly. The other day this verse was my devotion for that day. It followed a Christmas gift, a cross, that has a portion of this verse on it. Another book mentioned Jeremiah 31:25, which is also about rest for the weary. Why is it so easy to read and so hard to do?

This year has been one of the toughest I’ve ever endured. I almost feel guilty saying that because so many people I care for have lost loved ones and suffered horrible accidents and illnesses. I’ve got nothing specific to point to. Not one major event or catastrophe. Just a whole lot of little things that seemed to push me beyond what I can endure. Do you know what I mean?

Most days I feel like I’m black and blue just from trying to juggle the needs of everyone else. And facing constant criticism all along the path. I understand that getting older is hard and admitting that skills have diminished is even harder. But it isn’t a picnic for those walking beside the older folks. And being on the receiving end of all that anger and resentment takes a heavy emotional toll.

Most of the time I fully understand that I am doing what God has called me to do. But sometimes I just need a break. I need relief from the constant stress and agitation. I want a day for me, to do what I want. I long for that joy that has slowly slipped from my life. I feel like I’ve aged 20 years in the past 12 months. Literally. I look it too, which doesn’t help my feelings at all.

I am longing for 2012. I want to get rid of this year and forget all about it. Have you ever had one of those years? I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I just hope I don’t have to do 2011 again.

Sometimes I think the big events are easier to endure. I’ve had a few of those over the years and still carry the scars. I know it sounds strange but those things come and then you pick up the pieces. You have support and prayers and other people understand. Most people don’t understand constant care giving for people don’t even like you -- and tell you just that bluntly. So I largely remain silent, keeping this secret between God and myself.

So Jesus calls me to cast all my cares onto Him. I can place this baggage at the foot of the cross and leave it there. I can endure what I must because His strength is sufficient and He meets all my needs.

I have no idea what this next year will bring. I pray for peace and comfort. I pray that I will draw closer to Him and will feel His Presence every moment of every day. I pray for strength and endurance. And I pray for understanding and compassion. Life can be a hard road, but we are never alone.