If One Shall Fall

"If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. . . ."  Ecclesiastes 4:10

I had the privilege and honor of attending a wedding on Saturday.  The day couldn't have been more perfect.  The weather was gorgeous and in this church was a wonderful joining of two families into one.  The joys and love these two young people felt were definitely shared with all of us who attended.  It was truly a blissful moment.

It reminded me of my marriage, and marriages of friends and family members.  That special day, the day that two people are joined together, is so beautiful.  With God present, the new couple feels as if their lives would be forever happy.  I felt that.  Those of you who are married probably felt that too.  Then life comes.

Please, today's blog isn't just for those who are married, but also for those who are not married.  Today it is about sharing lessons learned, and where God shows up at those moments when we truly need him most.  The wedding, the honeymoon, are incredible moments to spend with each other and share the blessing you have been given - the gift of each other that God has given to you.  The joy that surrounds those moments are to be cherished and remembered, because other moments will follow.  Maybe it is the joy of a new relationship - not just an intimate one, but a friendship as well.  What we need to remember is our verse for today.

Through the years, there have been many trials, many tribulations that we have all had to face.  What I have learned most, though, is the verse for today.  When one of us falls, the other is there to help them up.  That falling may be letting the best of a bad day at work get to you.  That falling may be a tough discussion with the kids.  That falling may be a burned supper.  That falling may be tough financial decisions.  That falling may be sickness.  That falling may be not knowing where to turn.  That falling may be one of us actually falling (I'm not the most graceful person in the world - no snickering family members!).  The importance is ensuring that the other is there to pick up the pieces.  It's not about blaming.  It's not about resentment.  It's not about holding on to what went wrong.  

It's about picking up the other person - mentally, spiritually, and yes at times, even physically.  Those aren't the things that people share during weddings and new relationships, and that's okay.  Yet it is important for all people, young and old, married 6 months, 6 years or 60 years, new and old friendships to remember, be there to pick up.  One person can't do all the heavy lifting.  It needs to be shared when those moments arise.  I have been very blessed by a wonderful husband who helps with the heavy lifting - not just physically - but mentally and spiritually.   Isn't that what love and friendship are?

What happens if neither party has the strength to lift the other one up?  The best news is that there is always someone to help us with the heavy lifting - our Lord.  He helps to lift us up - mentally, spiritually or physically, just when we didn't believe there was any more assistance for us.  Couples, whether married or friendships, can go through periods where both people have so much weighing on them that helping the other person up can feel next to impossible.  That is when Simple Faith takes over.  That is when praying to God and KNOWING He will help you up is what needs to happen.  

For our newly married couple, I pray God's abundance to be poured out upon you.  And remember, when one of you falls, lift the other one up.  And should both of you fall, always turn to God, who will lift you up with ease.

"Dearest Lord, may we always remember that any relationship will have moments where one person may stumble.  Let us be there to pick up our loved one, whatever their need may be.  When both of us have fallen, let us have the simple faith to believe that YOU are there for us, Jesus, to do the heavy lifting.  In your gracious and humble name we pray, Amen."