And Then They Came

Have you ever had those times in life where circumstances paralyzed you? When I say paralyzed I am asking in a very broad sense of the word. Sometimes life paralyzes us physically where we are incapacitated to the point of being unable to move in either a literal or figurative sense. Other times events occur that cause us to be paralyzed emotionally, financially, socially, or spiritually. I think if we are quite honest we have all faced that at some point in our lives. While we would like to believe that we are independent and capable of moving ourselves forward in life, there are times that circumstances are too great and we cannot meet our own needs. That is a hard place to be. I believe our human nature is designed to be able to provide for ourselves in order to survive, so dependency goes against every grain in most of our bodies. Personally I was born with an X-Large independence bone; it doesn't show up on x-rays but my parents will confirm the diagnosis. I loathe the need for dependence and yet right now fearless dependence is all I have to help make me brave. The irony of that conflict is not lost on me. I am learning new lessons about it every day. This week as we have been trying to make preparations to be in Houston for three weeks of radiation treatment, I have been overwhelmed by the circumstances. Getting calendars aligned, making arrangements to make sure my sweet boys are taken care of while we are gone, completing insurance paperwork, arranging travel, locating lodging, making certain my work responsibilities are covered, and covering all the bases in between has led me to moments this week when I literally find myself walking in a circle, paralyzed and unable to move myself forward. And then they came.  

A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.... 11 I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” (Mark 2:1-12)

Just like the man in this story, friends have stepped forward and taken a corner of my mat to help move me to the healer. I love that the man's friends in the story would not allow any obstacle to stand between them and their mission of having their friend healed. When they could not get through the door, they came down through the roof. This week God has placed people in our life who have been dedicated to overcoming any obstacle that stands between me and healing and as I type this I can't help but cry over the emotion that kind of love stirs in me. I do not know how in the world I will EVER be able to say thank you, but in a time when I was unable to meet all of my own needs, and the needs of my family, others have stepped forward. I won't list by name because I don't even KNOW all the names and I definitely do not want to miss a single one because we have felt EVERY hand. Some have lifted my mat by praying and encouraging us, another shared her talent of making t-shirts and so many of you have carried me by buying them- my prayer for those t-shirts is that they help us all remember how to be brave. Some have given reward miles so that we can fly home and hug our babies, excuse me, fine young men, on the weekends and even took the responsibility of booking the flights so we didn't even have to deal with the hassle. Some of you have made sure food is covered with gift cards; others are helping with lodging through your amazing gifts. And just like in the story from Mark, "We have never seen anything like this!"  We can never thank you enough!

Mark's story of the paralyzed man is not written from the perspective of the mat. We do not get to hear what was running through his mind, but from someone who is currently on that mat, let me tell you what he probably felt. As he looked up at the faces of his friends he probably thought, "I do not deserve this. I can never repay this kindness." As he felt his weight being carried in their hands he probably thought, "I wish this wasn't necessary. I wish I was the one helping another." When he saw the dirt on their hands and the sweat on their brows from breaking through the roof he probably thought, "This is too much to ask of them. I hate being a burden!" As he stared up through the hole in the ceiling and saw his friends as they lowered him down he probably thought, "This is crazy!! I can't believe they would go to this length for me! (And please don't drop me!!! LOL)" And when he laid at Jesus's feet and heard the words, "Take up your mat and go home." He was probably once again paralyzed for a moment, this time in pure joy and gratitude and amazement.  I know because today that man is me. 

Y'all, thank you for being our friends. Thank you for loving us. Thank you for putting that love to action. Thank you for praying for us. Thank you for overcoming every obstacle to get us to the healer. Thank you for coming when we couldn't carry the mat. Thank you will never be enough. We anxiously await the words, "Take up your mat and go home."

 THANK YOU FOR HELPING US GET TO THE HEALER!

I have a favor to ask. I know that many do not see my blogs. If you have been part of groups that have helped carry our mat would you please print and share this post with others you know have been a part of helping us. I know that so many have anonymously helped us and I want to be sure they know how grateful we are!