The isolation is getting to me us. More than ever, we need each other. I don’t know about you, but like Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, I get by with a little help from my friends.
When “thank you” isn’t enough
While prednisone contorted my appearance, sickness stole my independence. Alone and dependent, I wish I poured more into others before I got sick and needed help. For a couple of years, I said, “Thank you,” a hundred times a day.
My account was drained and there were insufficient funds to cover my needs, but that didn’t change my needs whatsoever. Operating in the red, I borrowed strength from my friends. There were days I felt like I wore them out with desperation when the heartbreak was too heavy to share.
You don’t always have to be the strong one
Strong is a word often used to describe me, but no one can get through life’s interruptions alone. Those who love you most are want to carry your load, but pain isn’t something you want to give away to those already feeling it. When our family was gutted, my adult children took turns being “the strong one.” At times we took on too much and sagged under the weight of loss.
Hope carries
Our neediness allows God to be God. In a strange way, it honors God, who alone is able to satisfy our needs. But, finding strength in the Lord is impossible when you are too weak to get to Him. My friends knew exactly where to carry me.
Friends carry friends when they’re paralyzed
Maybe you are paralyzed by anxiety or depression; crippled by grief, and you can’t take another step. The future seems so uncertain you are unable to move. Whatever zaps your ability to go forward, needs to be carried to the cross, but sometimes it’s hard to get there without help.
“Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat.” Luke 5:18 (NLT)
“but they couldn’t reach him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus.” Luke 5:19 (NLT)
Imagine Jesus, surrounded by people craning their necks to get a glimpse of him and see what he was doing. A little debris starts to drift down from the ceiling but no one notices. Then a clump splats a warning on the ground causing all eyes look up. The sick man was right in front of Jesus.
The access problem was overcome, the friends demanded Jesus’ attention to the sick man. I mean, now what? He’s sort of in your face.
“and my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
Friends meet needs, even shoes
Unable to drive or walk more than a few feet, my friend pulled up in the driveway and helped me to her car. She treated me to a pedicure, which was awesome, but the heat of the water and the effort to raise my foot to the edge of the basin drained me. Leaning down to slip on my lightweight shoes, my muscles quit. Though my toes looked pretty, I was a sight sitting there with shoes half on, half off and a face that looked like a full moon. She knelt before me as if this was going to be a graceful act of service.
However, my feet were damp, my leg collapsed every time she pushed and her position was too awkward to make progress. Fortunately, she’s rather large busted, so she propped my foot on her chest and crammed my shoe on my foot. The cashier watched the spectacle, but neither of us could see through the tears of laughter. I needed a laugh, and I needed a friend. Don’t we all? Especially now.
Healing comes from the enoughness of God
I’m thankful for friends who put on my shoes and who carried me to Jesus. More times than I can count, they protected me from myself. Be careful who you surround yourself with because, someday you may need a little help from your friends. Carry others when you can and let them carry you when you can’t go on alone.
Where are your friends taking you?
Beautiful example of love for one another.
Love you!
So thankful for my friends. They’ve always been there for me. They’ve lifted me physically, emotionally and spiritually. And now, even though I’m no longer physically strong, I am lifting them both emotionally and spiritually. That’s what friends do.
You are such a blessing
BSF may be a place to meet new people You are an extrovert and I pray God sends friends your way in your new home
Thanks. That is exactly what I did! This post was written in 2020 and a lot has changed since then. We are loving our new neighborhood and finding it easier to connect.