As a student in school I always hated group projects. Ugh! And as an adult I did not enjoy meetings and collaborations and projects where I needed to rely on other people. Unfortunately, this was 98% of my job. (As for that remaining 2%, since I was the boss, I did manage to assign myself some fun projects I could do all by myself.)
With maturity (and humility), I have learned to appreciate the contributions of and camaraderie with others, but I still crave some projects all to myself where I can do things exactly the way I want to.
Despite my introverted tendencies even I recognize that God did not design me to live this life alone. This is especially apparent when things go wrong or the unexpected happens. Having close relationships comes in really handy when I get a flat tire late at night. It’s helpful to have a friend to call who won’t hesitate to come help. When I had to have brain surgery, I saw exactly how important my good friends were. They visited me, brought me food, took care of me. That was a very humbling experience but is exactly what today’s verse is talking about.
The key is to be that friend and brother or sister to other people in my life. When I first read that verse I thought of the people who have loved me and been there for me in difficult times. There have been so many, thank God!
But really I should be reading that verse thinking who I have been a friend to. Who have I loved at all times and been there for in difficult times?
Dear God,
Thank you so much for providing such good friends and brothers and sisters to me in difficult times. What a wonderful gift community and love is! Teach me to be a friend who loves at all times and a sister who is available and ready during difficult times. Open my eyes to see the people in my life who need my comfort, help, or encouragement today. And please give me the strength and wisdom to provide it.
CamDevo 