Carried

Have you ever wished you could paint? or draw? or at least scribble something that looks remotely like what is in your head? I have. Many times. I have word images. They are in my mind so clearly and yet I have no way to put them into a physical art form for someone else to view or enjoy. I completely envy that some people can take something from their mind and give it dimension.
Lately I've been observing the world. Ok, I always am observing the world. But, I got to spend a lot of time down at Children's Hospital and watch people. I got to watch people on the interstate driving (read, parked on the interstate) to Aurora. I have lots of friends and acquaintances going through a variety of life experiences. There is so much to see and contemplate.
What I noticed is that some people are calm and peaceful and others are angry and raging. Some seem beaten down and others seem strong and able to keep on going. This did not surprise me. What surprised me was that it doesn't seem to be related to the difficulty which they are going through. A parent with a child with cancer can be found laughing and eating and enjoying life in the midst of great personal struggle. While another person is fuming about the slowness of the traffic, red in the face, shouting unkind words.
And I was wondering how it is that we are so fooled into thinking that circumstances are what bring us peace. or contentment. or joy. or courage. or strength. We mistakenly think if we have the right job or our kids do ok or others meet our needs THEN we will have inner peace. But, it's simply not true.
I know because I have watched and observed and pondered for years. Older people who are often having failing health, aches and pains, are frequently very peaceful. very content. People facing cancer often seem to have a large amount of gratefulness.
And I've wondered what the difference is among people. What makes some find the wherewithal to cope while others crumble?
I believe in God. I love the footsteps in the sand poem that shows how when things get most difficult, Jesus not only walks beside, but literally carries us. It's beautiful. I've pictured it often. But the other day a new picture came to my mind.
It's true that the God of the universe cares about each of us and wants to help us with our burdens. But my life experience recently has shown me that His favorite way of doing that is with the hands of those other people in our lives. their arms. their smiles. their encouragement. their support. their listening hearts. their giving spirits. their understanding even when we are way off. And I realized that my picture is of God using His people to hold up His people. to carry them.
He said to carry one another's burdens. He said to meet each other's needs. He said to serve one another. And in this is what being carried by God looks like. He sent what we needed. Friends. People. Community. To uphold. To stand together as a mighty force.
I picture the bunches of people that have held me up. That have held up my friends. It's in my mind so clearly. And then, the picture goes on.......I am part of the group holding each of them up as well.
That's the difference of people that you see. Those who know that they are being carried. being loved on. being understood. and who ALLOW it. And then there are those who go it alone. or say that it's just them and God. But that's not how we were created. We were created to interact. to help. to give. to receive. When we do, we are whole. We are content. And though circumstances come and go, our peace does not. It remains. fully intact. strong. impenetrable.
Because He has overcome the world. He has overcome our circumstances. We just need to help each other to remember how loved we are.
Don't be afraid to be carried. Don't be afraid to help to carry others. It's the secret of God's love. In love, serve one another.
Look around. Do you see them? the carried ones? not the dependent ones. the ones who are lifted up. Do you see how strong they are? Don't be afraid of being weak if you need help. Be afraid that you will be weak if you fail to receive the help God has put here for us.
love to all of you who have walked with and carried my family and near family this last year. it has been quite a ride. but peace reigns supreme. in hearts if not in circumstances.
blessings,
rhonda