Come Alongside Me!
What kind of helper do I want to be? I love my friends so much. When they need something, I tend to just jump in. If there are dishes, I do them--we all do, right? When they hurt, I want to take it away. When something is hard, I want to do it for them. I've learned, though, through gracious friends helping me, that "coming alongside" means something different. When we do everything for someone, they can lose incentive to do for themselves. Sometimes that's just what they need to get back up again. Spirits are fragile and must be handled with care! But we can gently work beside our friend, holding her hand, guiding her if needed, until she is strong again. Because that is our prayer for her! "Father, help me to be a friend that raises others up and strengthens them along their way. Amen"