Every Friday I join a community of bloggers for Five Minute Friday. One word prompt, five minutes. Unedited. The prompt this week is … Carry.
The images stay in my mind – parents carrying little ones, and people carrying the injured.
Ukraine. The country is in my thoughts constantly.
“And some men were carrying on a bed a man who was paralyzed; and they were trying to bring him in and to set him down in front of Him.” (Luke 5:18, NASB)
Jesus told the story to give us insight as to the power and gift of friendship.
We all need those that will stand by us through thick and thin. We need the support and encouragement of others so as to remain strong and steady. We need to comfort and be comforted. We need one another.
While I want friends like this, more so, I want to be a friend like this.
- These friends carried their friend when he was unable. There are times in life when each of us will be unable to go on. We may be weak, worn, defeated or sick. It is then that we need someone not only to come alongside of us but to carry us.
- These friends did whatever was necessary for their friend. When faced with the obstacle of being unable to get through the crowd, rather than giving up and going home, they made a way for their friend. They never gave up. They kept pressing on until they were able to lower their friend through the roof and directly in front of Jesus.
- These friends believed for their friend. There may be times in life when we do not even have the ability to believe for our miracle. May we be the kind of friend, who will believe and pray for our friend.
May we be this kind of friend to Ukraine –
carrying them before the throne in prayer,
and believing God for a miracle.
Photo by Igor Karimov on Unsplash
Today I am joining …
Joanne, thank you for your beautiful post coming before the throne of our Holy Father and His miracle for Ukraine. May we all be this kind of friend!
God carries us when we need carrying. He holds us in His loving arms. Thank You God. Beautiful message.
Beautiful Joanne, sometimes the best way to show love is to carry our friends’ burdens to the Throne of Grace!
Maybe we should see Ukraine
as something that is true
and worthy of a deeper pain;
perhaps we should die, too,
rather than withhold our aid
in favour of a life of ease.
Yes, comparison I have made
harks back to Kitty Genovese
who bled out one March evening
while neighbours heard her dying cries
but would not be heeding
all the wherefores and the why’s
that dig so painfully deeper
to say we are our brother’s keeper.
Praying for Ukraine is the “only” thing that we can do – but by doing that we’re handing the problem to someone who is truly great enough to carry that burden.
Just stopped by from FMF#34