Supporting each other.....

When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to his own work. From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounds the trumpet stayed with me.
Nehemiah 4:15-18

During my studies this morning I was restless......I began with my devotional, really good as usual and then I dug into my continuing study in Ecclesiastes. It was hard this morning....I didn't get it, I found my mind wondering, I skipped questions that seemed too challenging....Mornings like this really bug me. Why couldn't I focus and why couldn't I get the answers? Well, I guess God had other plans for me. So as I just picked up my Bible and started to read God lead me and what a wonderful morning it turned out to be.

I've been thinking about and praying for a very special woman this week. We all know her very well and while I won't mention her by name you might just recognize her after reading this. I saw something....something that really touched my heart and made me really sad at the same time. I won't tell what I saw because it wasn't meant for me to see. In fact, many may have seen exactly what I saw and passed by without another thought (and still others might have had the same feeling of sadness that I did)....but it has bothered me so much because I have come to love, care and respect this person SO much......and God knows and He is directing my path as only he can do.

When I was gone one Sunday a couple of weeks ago I got a phone message about being missed. I was SO lifted up by that message. That someone would actually miss ME!! Then when I missed the second Sunday I came home from vacation to find several cards in the mail from those that were thinking about me. How awesome is that? Now don't get the wrong impression here....I don't have the NEED to have my ego stroked. I didn't NEED those calls and cards to keep me coming back to my community and my sisters! But, just knowing, that there are those that love and support me is so vitality important to my walk with God.

I'm guessing here but I would imagine that we all have a special person that we seek out when we need to talk or vent or cry or scream......I do as well. But as my walk with Christ deepens I am finding that I am less likely to turn to someone that does not share my christian walk and my deep spiritual beliefs. In other words, I want comfort, support and guidance from, what I like to call, a spiritual equal, a sister in Christ. Someone that knows where I'm coming from. Someone that I can relate to. That means, for me, that I am less likely to go to my mother as I would have ALWAYS in the past. She, though I do not know where she stands exactly, is not going to be able to give me the spiritual guidance I need. The close relationships I am forming with my community, I know, are God sent. I am sensitive to His leading.......I am "hungry" for His teachings.

For every time I go to someone for comfort or guidance or support, I have to realize that THAT person may be experiencing their own problems and may need comfort or support as well. Sometimes, God puts in our path, special people, wise people, discerning people, experienced people.....those with a loving, obedient heart. We are naturally drawn to them. In my experience, they usually ask for little or nothing in way of support, they are humble beyond all understanding and can sometimes be quite critical of themselves.....perhaps less forgiving of themselves than they should be. No, we don't idolize them but we look up to them and respect them for the position for which God has called them. What I have come to realize (and what most of you probably already have) is that just because someone is further along in their walk than me, they still experience the SAME things that I do.....be it lack of trust, loss of faith, the reluctance to let God carry their burdens, the very things we talked about last Sunday, relying solely on God. Somewhere, in my twisted way of thinking, I got the impression that those that had more faith than me are able to overcome anything! I'm learning......just how untrue that is. If there is one thing I've learned for Ecclesisates, it's that we ALL will suffer be it unfair or unjust.

We have been working very hard to build our women's ministry and what a wonderful job everyone is doing! It's so evident in our growing numbers and just the closeness of the group. I think (and remember I write this blog from only MY perspective) we have to always be aware that we don't want to lose not even ONE woman that walks through that door. NOT ONE! Once she walks through that door, we as a body, must be sure she never walks out! At least not for the reason that her needs were not being met. We have to be sure to build relationships as a group so that we EACH have a big support system so that we don't overwhelm those that we may be more easily drawn to. We all have a lot on our plates. We all bring unique qualities to the table. That's why I love the verse that God sent to me this morning and is at the top of this post. Look how ALL of these people were working together. Each had their own part but each was also supportive of the rest. Not a single person was overwhelmed as they all had a helper. Verses 19-23 continue to show how they worked together. It's really a beautiful scene.

It is my prayer this morning that we lift up and support each other and realize that each of us are equally in need and that each of us are capable of providing love, support and comfort to others.

Have a God day!
XOXO