As I was preparing to write this blog, all I could think about was a very old song from 1972 - Lean On Me by Bill Withers. Here are the lyrics to that song. I think I should recommend that my group makes this our theme song..... (But instead of CALL ME it should say TEXT ME)!
Sometimes in our lives, We all have pain, we all have sorrow,
But if we are wise, we know that there is always tomorrow.
Lean on me when you're not strong, I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on.
For it won't be long, Til I'm gonna need somebody to lean on.
Please swallow your pride, If I have things you need to borrow
For no one can fill those of your needs, that you won't let show.
Just call on my brother, when you need a hand. We all need somebody to lean on.
I just might have a problem that you'll understand, We all need somebody to lean on.
If there is a load you have to bear. That you can't carry.
I'm right up the road, I'll share your load. If you just call me.
I can't express just how true the words of this song are for our group, how much they apply. Each one of us has our ups and downs - our pain and sorrow and our joys. But in that, we all know that we can lean on each other. Because we are such a diverse group of women, we understand so many different problems and situations. It is an amazing thing to see how the Lord put our group together, because he knew that we would all need each other in different ways and at different times. Each bringing something so valuable and unique to the group.
In Ephesians 6, Paul details the Armor of God. in verse 13 it says....
Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Part of that armor is the shield of faith, described in verse 16 - with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
My friends and I have discovered that sometimes that shield of faith is really heavy. When you are in midst of tough circumstances, when you have grown weary and been struggling on for so very long, when things seem hopeless - it is really hard to have enough faith to be protected from the attacks of the enemy. So, we have decided that, just like the Roman soldiers did, we would "Lock our shields" together. Together we are much stronger and we can all "lean on each other" when times get tough.
Earlier I said that the song should say "text" instead of "call" - and that is just so true. Our group has a group text that carries prayer requests, urgent cries for help (which we simply have to text 911 to our group and prayers will immediately begin) wonderful good news, answered prayers, and often you see the phrase "Shields locked" show up! Simply put, that phrase says that we are standing with each other - we are helping carry that hard load - whatever it is. To us, it means that when you have a deep need, all the rest of the group will encircle you with their shields of faith raised to help protect you. This year, we were so blessed by one gal with this physical reminder of that phrase.
I am convinced that everyone needs somebody to lean on. If you don't have a small group or even just one or two close friends, I encourage you to seek it out. Being isolated is one of the ways that satan has to knock us down. It is so worth it to find people with whom you can be open and honest. Jesus never intended for us to be lone warriors. We are all so much better when we are surrounded by those locked shields. Yep, I am going to be humming "Lean on me" in the days ahead!
Jesus, thank you so much for the blessing of close friends. Thank you for drawing us all together and being the creator of our small group. Holy Spirit, reach out to those that feeling lonely and those that don't have a support group. Lead them to exactly the right place for them to meet others who they can lean on. Jesus thank you for caring for us and knowing that we need friends. Amen
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