S.O.S.

I always feel a little lost in a crisis. I'm never exactly sure what I'm supposed to do. . . I have all these conflicting theories about how people want or need support. Typically I end up just doing nothing because I can't decide which way to go. You see, sometimes people want you to be around, but they want to be distracted from the situation. Others want to process it over and over because somehow that helps them get through the pain. I know of friends who just want to deal with it alone, and when other people (however well-intentioned they might be) invite themselves over they just get annoyed and frustrated.

So, I'm never really sure what I should do. The thing is, though, that we are supposed to help each other and support each other through difficult times. That is what the family of God is all about.

"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:25

"Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." Romans 12:13-15

I know that there are people in the church who have gone through medical problems or difficult family situations and in the end felt very unsupported by the church. Now that I think about it, I wonder if it isn't so much that the church family didn't want to support them, or didn't care about them - but more that they didn't know how. I think a lot of us tend to be intimidated by those kinds of situations. . .

So this weekend I had the opportunity to make a choice. I chose to insert myself into a difficult circumstance and do my best to encourage, support, and love the girls that God has put in my path. They didn't beg me to be there. They didn't call and ask me to come. Sometimes people are afraid to ask for help because they don't want to have expectations of others that seem unreasonable. But it wasn't unreasonable for me to be with them - it was a joy and an honor! It was a blessing because it is the way that God intended for his family to function.

Sometimes the wise choice might be to stay at home and pray for those who are hurting. Sometimes its to head on over and love 'em in person. . . it is up to us to pray and ask God to lead us in the right direction whenever the opportunity arises. And when you feel a strong nudging from God to insert yourself into the difficulties of someone in the family of God, don't be afraid to do it. I think it is always better to annoy someone with your overbearing love than to allow them to feel like no one loves them at all.

Oh, that we would be a family that shared such deep love and transparent support that the world around us would be drawn to the light and truth that inspires and motivates our lives!!