By: Debbie Christopher...Not long ago, our pastor spoke from 1 Corinthians 12. His theme was based on the thought that we can’t grow alone. As a church family, we need each other for our spiritual growth. He listed three areas in which we can demonstrate this joint effort with our fellow believers. My favorite point was ‘We grow when we depend on each other’ from verses 25-26.
"so that there would be no division in the body, but that the members would have the same concern for each other. So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.”
1 Corinthians 12:25-26 HCSB
Obviously, this is a strong reminder to be
attentive and seek out opportunities to care for and love on one another. But, depending on one another involves both sides of the same caring coin.
Learning to depend on one another really means allowing others to care for and love on YOU!
I immediately remembered the day when I learned this all-important lesson.
Several years ago, when I was still teaching, I was regularly a counselor at children’s camp during the summer. One year, as our group travelled to our camp facility, we stopped for gas and a snack. Our youth pastor offered to buy my drink. Well… no way was I going to allow this fledgling, vastly underpaid youth pastor to buy my drink! I’ll never forget his response. He put his foot down and stated, “Miss Debbie, will you let me bless you!!!”---yes, with the appropriate amount of exclamation points!
I let him buy my drink…
A few weeks after this event, at a back to school luncheon with a group of teachers, a second year teacher offered to pay for my lunch because I had helped her so much during the previous school year. I almost ‘refused’ her offer…until I remembered the response of our youth pastor a few weeks earlier. I agreed, and her smile melted my heart.
Friends, when others want to care for and love on YOU, let them…because it allows them to be part of the caring, loving on, and supportive process--- which is what depending on one another is all about! It allows others to grow and be encouraged as they bless you.
Don’t let someone have to put their foot down!
~Debbie
For those who followed my recent surgery in my 'Fragile' (read here) post, I am much better and thankful for renewed strength and stamina. Thank you all for your prayers.