Dear Friends,
As I’m writing this email a tornado watch has just ended, it’s lightning, thundering, and pouring rain outside. It looks like it’s never going to stop.
I’m guessing that as you read this email the sun is shining outside and it is a beautiful, cool fall day outside (if you live in Tallahassee!).
That is so much like life, isn’t it? When you’re in the midst of a storm in your life you sometimes wonder if the sun will ever shine for you again. We have a dear, dear friend who is going through that experience right now. It’s so difficult to see or even remotely believe that beyond the clouds there is sunshine on the other side. And no words that we or anyone else can say can help. In fact, I’m sure that much of what we try to say sounds trite and cliché-ish. Right now about all we can do is sit with her in the storm and let her know she’s not alone and we are here for her to lean on as she walks through the storm.
I’m reminded that the psalmist said ‘even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death’…the operative word being ‘through’. We love our friend so much and just want to be there for her as she goes through this valley in her own way and in her own time.
I suspect you may have a friend who is going through a storm. I invite you to join me in singing the wonderful song by Bill Withers: “Lean on Me”, and let it be our prayer for our friends this day:
Sometimes in our lives we all have pain
We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there’s always tomorrow
Lean on me, when you’re not strong
And 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 faith you need to borrow
For no one can fill those of your needs
That you won’t let show
You just call on me brother (sister), 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 just right up the road, I’ll share your load
If you just call me
If you ever need a friend
Just call me
You are loved,
Wayne