[pinit]
The truth is, I’d be lost without our community. Family and friends surrounded us this week in ways that have brought me to tears.
Endless texts. Facebook messages. E-mails. Phone calls. Meals.
The truth is, we need each other.
I don’t know about you, but often I try to act like I have it all together, like I don’t need help. I’d rather be the one helping you.
It’s probably a pride issue.
But the truth is, community matters. We need each other.
The truth is, when I wrote a book about taking coffee breaks and doing life together, it was easy to write those words while sitting in the corner of a coffee shop. It’s easy to live out community when you’re the one giving and helping.
The truth is, it’s so much harder to accept the help of others when you are weak, exhausted, and emotionally drained. But that’s when you need it most.
But the truth is, when we open ourselves up to each other, when we allow others to love us – truly love us – and give and serve us, it’s a healing salve that comes straight from the hands of Jesus. For both parties.
Truthfully, I love each one of you. I’ve read each message. I’ve cried tears of thankfulness. We’ve never felt so loved, so cared for. I don’t know where we’d be without you. We can never repay you.
The hot meals. The prayers. The hugs. The smiles.
Each one mattered.
Each one reminded us of the truth that even though we walk through the valley of cancer and treatment, we are not alone. God is with us. He is often with us through you.
Thank you.
*If you haven’t entered the drawing yet for a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Devotional Stories for Wives, there’s still time! Enter on this post.
This post is linked with Lisa Jo Baker and the Five Minute Friday Prompt
I so recognize myself when you say “its easy to do community when its yourself doing the helping” I am sure you are right: it is a pride issue, but also an insecurity issue. Funny how pride and low self esteem often go hand and hand; a master trick of Satan, leaving us scratching our heads, wondering what is our problem? I am so sorry about the cancer that has come to your family. I hate cancer. It has ravaged so many people. But never really destroyed right?
Glad I was your 5minfri neighbor this morning.
Cheers,
Leah
Thanks for stopping by Leah! You’re right – pride & insecurity. They do so often go hand in hand. Definitely something to think about. Yes, we might be beat up but not destroyed!!
this is sooo true! I love the giving part! Being able to reach out to others, but asking for help and realizing that you NEED community is hard! I often feel like I’m a burden. BUT being on this end of it, I realize how much of a blessing it is to reach out and give. When I don’t ask for help or pridefully say, “I’m ok” when I’m not, I am not allowing others to live out God’s command and they cannot feel the joy of giving! Ryan and I love you guys so much and are HAPPY to help! It really is a blessing! <3
Preach it sister! Realizing your need can be tough, then not feeling like a burden is another thing. But it’s our privilege to care for one another during these seasons. Thank YOU for your friendship! <3
I’m not your FMF neighbor but I saw your face in the row above mine and I decided to stop by. I didn’t realize your husband was so recently diagnosed with cancer. I’m so sorry and I’ll be praying. You are right that we need community. It’s easier to give help than receive it sometimes, but other people’s encouragement often feels to me like one way God speaks and says, I see you and I care. Praying for your husband and you. My dad was just diagnosed with cancer a few weeks ago. It’s never what anyone wants to hear. ((Hugs))
Oh thanks for stopping by Rosanne! I’m so sorry to hear about your Dad too and will be praying. It’s such a scary word to hear the doctor say. I’m so thankful for the community that has surrounded us. Praying you and your parents and family will be surrounded by His love through others as well.