I received so much feedback from my last post “Alone”, I realized many of you have been in my shoes before. It was certainly vulnerable to write, but each time I step out in that “scary” space, you reward me with your own personal struggles or some needed encouragement.
I think God is amazing how he does that.
I intended to write about something entirely different that day, but that came out instead. That would be the Holy Spirit for ya…
But there is a concept that has been simmering ever since:
There are many things in life that are so much easier when someone comes alongside us in them.
A few simple examples:
As I sorted and cleaned out my MN house, countless friends and family came over and helped me. From cleaning the closet, to cleaning the refrigerator, each task was made easier because someone joined me in doing it. It’s a humbling experience asking for this kind of help (or accepting it when it’s offered), but some of my favorite “goodbye” moments were spent just doing basic things that needed doing – with friends.
After I moved to NM, the boxes were mounded as high as the staircase. I got through the essential “first use” boxes, but my massive mound by the stairs was just taunting me each day. Finally my husband (one of the MANY reasons I love him so) said, “How about we just crank out that stack of boxes together today?” Wow. Talk about speaking my language. When someone was there to do it WITH me, it was so much easier to even begin.
I’m sure you know what I’m talking about.
And even if these examples are trite and simple, there are other instances that are harder, and often more heart-wrenching.
Recently, my dear sister lost her husband of 33 years to cancer. When he entered hospice, I knew there was “nothing anyone could do.”
But in actuality, there was something we could do…and many did. Countless family, friends and loved ones offered support. Whether it was a song on the guitar, a prayer, a back rub, a meal, a small gift, a letter, a few hours sitting in the chair and being present – each act of coming “alongside” was a way of helping her and her family through the hardest time in their lives.
God meant for us to do life together. And just as I talked about a few weeks ago on the blog,, even if we can’t fix it, we can still join someone where they are at and just be there.
In the big and small of life, it can make all the difference.
Where might God be calling you to come alongside?