Body Work

Sorry, guys. It's not about car repair. It is, however about appreciation for all of you who help hold me up when I am weak. Read on.

Body Work

For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 1 Corinthians 12:13

This last week was a rough one. I was having car trouble and my car pool person was not able to help me one morning. Not wanting to miss work, I set off walking. If I have to walk to work I try to make the most of the time. It is a good chance to pray and many times I will get story ideas during a walk. I got a story idea on this walk, but not the way I expected. I was a little over half way too work when I stepped on an uneven sidewalk and went down hard. A woman in an SUV saw me fall and helped me up. Seeing that I was limping pretty badly, she asked me if I needed any help. I asked if she could help me get the rest of the way to work, about 10 blocks or so. She said no, stating that she was trying to get her dog into the groomers and then she had to get to work. I realized as I was typing this I realized that I need to forgive her. (I hope her dog turned out pretty.) I couldn’t reach anyone on the phone to help so I took off walking, or rather hobbling. The further I walked the more my ankle swelled. It would not bend properly so I started angling my foot to the side when I stepped down. I gritted my teeth and grimaced. I swung my arms to help balance. I think what I was muttering was dang, dang, dang. Then I noticed that the opposite hip was getting sore from the unnatural gait. Apparently I still need to work on looking pitiful because even with all of that going on several people passed me and just waved and smiled. The next trick involved trying to prop me foot on the chair at work and still be able to reach my computer and my phone. This created a cramp in my lower back. Also, through an engineering marvel, all the bathrooms at work are conveniently located the furthest possible distance from anywhere you are.  At home I fell into bed and looked up to see my dog gazing at me with his big brown eyes, wanting to know why I wasn't taking him for his walk.

There are two points to this story. The first is easy. Even in this busy world let's try to notice what's happening and help when we can. The second point is that we are not alone. God has created us to be a body and to work together. Look at how many body parts got involved in trying to deal with my sprained ankle. My foot, my teeth, my face, my tongue, my arms, my hip and my back all adapted to take the load off of my injured body part. Even the swelling is a protective mechanism to protect it from further injury. It is easy to look at our lives and think that what we do only affects us or our family members. It is just not true, though. When we are part of a faith community we are there for each other. My Sunday School class is a perfect example of this. If someone in the group is having trouble, people will step up with a hug, anointing oil, or a Kleenex. They will also show up with cookies, a ride, or furniture and have been known to help move. (That's love!)   A person who is weak and in need one week may be able to fill a need the next week.  I believe this is God's vision for his children.

1 Corinthians 12 discusses the family of believers as a body and the way each part has a different purpose but all work together, showing equal concern for each other.  If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[d]? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts

 Romans 12:15 says "Rejoice with those that rejoice and weep with those that weep." One of my favorite verses is Galatians 6:2-4 which says, Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else.

If you are part of a faith community, rejoice. We are not meant to make it alone. Take strength and courage from them and give it to them. If you are not part of a church group, take the risk.