Come along side and pick up a corner

I feel the need to expand on somethings posted at

Heart to Heart

Let's talk about Friends

The kind that are willing to come along side us and pick up a corner of our cot during those times life has us paralyzed.

This account from Mark 2:1-5 really resonates with me.

" When He entered Capernaum again after some days, it was reported that He was at home.

So many people gathered together that there was no more room, not even in the doorway, and He was speaking the message to them.

Then they came to Him bringing a paralytic, carried by four men.

Since they were not able to bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above where He was.

And when they had broken through, they lowered the stretcher on which the paralytic was lying.

Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic,

"Son, your sins are forgiven." Mark 2: 1-5

Here's a few more details in Luke 5:18-19

"Just then some men came, carrying on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed. They tried to bring him in and set him down before Him.

Since they could not find a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the roof tiles into the middle of the crowd before Jesus."

Shortly after Jesus commanded the paralytic to " get up, take your mat and go home." and he did just that.

I am struck by many things, consider the following:

Where might this fellow have been were it not for the faithful four?

Were it not for the belief of this mans friends, how different might his life could have been?

Would the paralyzed man ever made any progress toward recovery?


There have been quite a few times recently, where I can say with great certainty that were it not for a few faithful friends, I would be as crippled as any paralytic....hopelessly dwelling in the deepest pits of despair.


I have been abundantly blessed to have key people in my life these last 3 years who picked me up when I could not move, prayed for me when my mouth was bound and flat out melted my frozen heart due to the loving power of Jesus Christ radiating from them.


Most don't live anywhere near Georgia, many did not even know me until after my girls death. All but a couple have even the remotest idea of what bereaving a child is all about.


Yet they were faithful.


They willingly carried me along and lay me at the Masters feet.


Unlike the men of Capernaum, their mission was not finished once they had me there. No, my family and I continue to be cared for and loved on by some of the sweetest most humble souls I have ever had the pleasure to know.


There are a lot of hurting people out there...some near...some not. Deliberate prayer, encouragement by way of a phone call here, a card, letter or email there...especially after the initial crisis has passed. That's when it is needed most.


The greatest gift we could give is to be a part of someones faithful few.

Oh what a mission field...and one that effects us all.

Friendship:
In this way we may best represent the body of Christ...in word and deed, giving our mighty God all the glory!