Tiffany, Ethan, and I had a great vacation, though we truly missed being with our church family. It’s good to get away, but it’s always great to get back home. Regardless of how nice it is to get back, there are always things that await you. This time for me, it was a dead battery.
I needed to get to the church office to begin catching up from a week away,but when I tried to crank the car, nothing happened… the battery was dead. Like really dead. No lights, no bells, no nothing! Luckily Tiffany was still home, so I was able to use our jumper cables, but before I could do that, I had to clean out the side of the garage we use for storage just so I could get the van close enough to the car.
It was already a paltry 80-plus-degree morning, so I was working up quite the lather. And I’m sure I was pretty noisy, too, because the neighbors were springing from their homes to check out the clatter coming from my garage. After getting everything situated just right, I pulled the van in and hooked up the jumper cables. Nothing. I waited a few seconds, but still nothing. Now I was getting concerned.
I made a few phone calls to let my appointments know I was going to be a little late, all the while trying to get any sign of life out of my car. Nothing. Finally, after giving up and deciding I would go get another battery and call in reinforcements to help me install it, the tale-tell ding of the bell and the interior lights flickered in the car. I turned the key, and walla, it was alive! With great relief I got the garage put back together and made my way to work.
While I was driving, a friend – AKA: my battery replacement reinforcement – showed up in my neighborhood to help me out, even after I called him to say it wasn’t necessary. Here I was, dripping with sweat and stress, and my friend just wanted to make sure that I was carrying on okay. Not the battery. Not my schedule. Just me. That meant a lot!
One of the hallmarks of the Christian faith is care and concern for others. Let’s face it, we all struggle and carry baggage. Our individual luggage might not match someone else’s, but that doesn’t make the luggage any less difficult to deal with. In my counseling ministry, one of the greatest lessons I’ve had to learn and be able to impart to others is not to compare or compete our struggles with others. True and authentic spiritual relationships are able to enter into the difficulties of others without the need to compare or compete for who has it rougher. I didn’t say it was easy, but it’s important.
To my friend who gave of his Monday morning at the spur of the moment to drop what he was doing to come check on me, thank you. I appreciate you helping me carry my luggage this week and helping me know that bearing it together is always easier than going it alone. And for the battery, thank you for reminding me that even though I just enjoyed a nice vacation, there are times when it’s necessary to pause and reflect that inconveniences are not crises. And for the rest of us, may we think this week about how we all have the opportunity and privilege to help a brother or sister in the faith deal with their dilemma, regardless of how big or small they might appear. This is precisely what God does for us in Jesus, and precisely what Jesus calls us to do for others.
I want to leave you with this beautiful call and challenge from scripture: “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2) May we all carry on accordingly this week.
No comments:
Post a Comment