The Gift of More

There are a number of words that come to mind when reflecting on the past month in our household;

change,

anticipation,

hard work,

emotions, (celebration/tears)

beauty,

rest. (And yes, beauty rest!)

If I had to choose one word to tie all these words together it would have to be 'togetherness' - not being or doing alone.

In the beginning of September, Pastor Delbert spoke a message of risk from the top of a "very-much-too-high-unstable-diving-board-platform." Even though I was too nervous to pay attention properly, the visual and the message were clear; Ask for help! Have people come alongside you praying for you, supporting you. I believe this to be true but don't always have the courage (and humility) to follow through when it means phoning, writing, emailing or texting, asking someone to do so.

As parents this fall we have walked through significant changes with our kids. We have literally walked to and from new places with our children, praying as we walked. We have peered anxiously through windows watching for their return so we could meet up and find out the progress of that day and event. We have cried together and celebrated together. Had movie or games night together. Ate together, both in celebration and comfort. We've trained, we encouraged, we've confessed.

It would've all been very hard alone.

It's easy to preach but not always easy to practice.

Over the past few weeks I have experienced the gift of more because of sharing with others. The gift of others speaking into a situation because they have walked alongside, really caring enough to entrust that situation to God with you. Of seeing more clearly with many eyes, of hearing more clearly with many ears.