We took a walk around the block today while my mother in-law made dinner. About half way around Chico stopped and sat down.
He was exhausted. His tiny legs just couldn’t keep up with our big ones, and his few months of experience walking just doesn’t compare to the years his brothers and I have been walking. So I stopped, turned around, scooped him up in my arms, and carried him the rest of the way.
There’s no doubt that Chico would have been in danger if I had left him there alone. If he’d been alone he may not have gotten up. And if he did he might have headed for the street. Even if he had stayed on the sidewalk at 1 year old the chances he would make it back to his Abuelita’s house would have been slim.
My question is why when we see a brother or sister in Christ sit down or fall is our reaction so different than my reaction with Chico?
We criticize. We gossip. We comment on how it makes the rest of us Christians look. We speculate about the undisclosed details. We discuss how not to fall in the same way.
But could it be that the Lord has called us to stop, turn around, scoop them up and start to carry them?
if one falls down, the other helps, But if there's no one to help, tough!
Ecclesiastes 4:10
No matter how many times you trip them up, God-loyal people don't stay down long; Soon they're up on their feet, while the wicked end up flat on their faces.
Proverbs 24:16
Could it be that God-loyal people don’t stay down long because they’ve understood the truth of Ecclesiastes? Not because of their personal strength, but because they had people around them who in obedience to the Holy Spirit helped them up?
O, this is such a great post. Thank you very much. Yes, I think the Lord calls us to stop, turn around, scoop them up and start to carry them! I will do it with joy and with tears.
ReplyDeleteExcellent. I have spent the last few days gathering up a wounded one -- sitting her under my sheltering tree. I'm wondering how much one person can can do to undo the actions of a whole group.
ReplyDeleteAnd then my heart shatters when I wonder, "How many have I been guilty of hurting?"
I'm praying this post will speak to hearts with the light of truth.
Blessings,
Pamela
What a powerful reminder of how to treat others! Thanks for sharing and blessing!
ReplyDeleteAmen. And if we will do this for our children, how much more our heavenly Father will do for us! (visiting from Thought Provoking Thursday)
ReplyDeleteA lot of food for thought there... Great post!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful day!
http://www.mskathleen.org/
praying for you, sister.
ReplyDeleteWow! What a great post...very challenging as well.
ReplyDeleteBut could it be that the Lord has called us to stop, turn around, scoop them up and start to carry them?
ReplyDeleteAmen. Happy TT. See you again this week.
I am a new visitor. I very much appreciated your analogy -- and it was JUST WHAT I NEEDED. I would like to suggest: please post in black font. Those of us with a little bit older eyes have difficulty reading the gray. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great analogy! We have been talking about ways to serve people and be a blessing. We have come up with ways to meet physical needs, but emotional and spiritual needs are just as important.
ReplyDelete