[pinit]
The rainbow loom invaded our home last week. If you don’t have an 8-12 year old in your home, take a look at the wrists, fingers, and necks of elementary and middle school kids in your community. They are most likely covered in rubber band accessories made on a rainbow loom.
As I’ve been twisting and looping mini rubber bands with the kids (yes, I’m addicted and probably need to get my own loom!), I’ve noticed something. If just one rubber band doesn’t get connected into the loops, the whole piece falls apart. Several times I’ve pulled an intricate piece off the loom to discover one rubber band in the middle didn’t get caught in the loops. I have no choice but to start over.
Some of the rubber bands in the designs only connect to one other band. Others hold multiple bands in place. Each one matters.
We’ve felt a lot like those rubber bands this past week – stretched and pulled to our limits. Cancer surgery. T-Rex’s birthday. A party at my house with ten 7-year-old boys (oh yes I did!). Surgery recovery. All mixed into one, long, beautiful week.
We’ve also felt the tug and pull and support of the community around us. Just when we thought we were stretched to the limit and about to break, someone showed up with a hot meal. A friend brought a sandwich to the hospital for me. Text messages chimed throughout the week. A friend drove 45 minutes to make a surprise hospital visit with a giant balloon. My mom did laundry, dishes, and packed lunches without being asked. E-mails filled our in-boxes. Friends tweeted and facebooked their prayers and messages of support. Another friend sent bracelets for the four of us in the colors of thyroid cancer (pink, teal & purple). A couple moms stayed to help with the birthday party. My Dad took photos of T-Rex and his big day and greeted the kids at the bus stop every day. A box of cookies showed up in the mail. My in-laws sat at the hospital during surgery. I could go on.
Each act of kindness was another loop in our chain, holding us together, keeping us from breaking.
Each loop matters. Even if I had to reply and say, “Thank you so much, but our refrigerator and freezer can barely shut,” your offer to help was another important loop of support.
Whatever your role in your community may be – it matters. You matter. Your prayers, your kind words, your smiles, your gift cards and meals – they matter. You’re part of a chain of loops that stretch and hold and keep people together during tough times. No act is too small.
Who needs you to loop into their life and support them today?
*Congratulations to Michele S. and Jennifer L. for winning the drawing for copies of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Devotional Stories for Wives!
Linking with Jen and the Soli Deo Gloria Sisterhood today!
Such a true reminder. My girl is 6, so I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before she’s into this bracelet-making craft too! 🙂
Amelia, wow–your family has been through a lot! You’re so right–those links of love in the community of believers are sometimes the only thing that holds us together.
Thanks for visiting Three Way Light–I appreciate your comments.
For a long time I thought community was not important, until I began working with kids who don’t have community around them. The idea has gone from just a geographic location to something broader. I love the picture here from the bracelets – and yes, my school of 10-12 year olds has them everywhere!