Carrying People

Good Morning All,

“Woke up this mornin’ with my mind, stayed on Jesus;” Woke up this mornin’ with my mind, stayed on Jesus; Woke up this mornin’ with my mind, stayed on Jesus; Allelu, Allelu, Allelu-ia.”
(African-American spiritual) And so I did this morning, just as I usually do each morning. I awakened with thoughts that soon breathed their way into prayers…

And I was reminded of the good friend and colleague in ministry who visited me a few days ago as part of her “Birthday Tour.” She talked of how she “carries” about 50 people with her everywhere she goes—and while she doesn’t serve a local congregation, these folks are her congregation…family members and dear friends; folks who have different needs from time to time and at other times bring her great joy.

The image of “carrying people” in our hearts, minds and memories is one with which most of us can resonate. During the course of a given day, I carry the burdens, joys, challenges and pain of a lot of people, mostly because that’s what it means to be in relationship with others. God calls us to do so and I would also add, God calls us to use good judgment and wisdom in the process, lest the relationships take us where we don’t need to go.

Some other song lyrics popped into my head this morning from, “Wishin’ and Hopin’,” a song in the late 1960’s (how very last century that sounds :) ) made popular by Dusty Springfield: “Just wishin', And hopin', And thinkin', And prayin', Plannin’ And dreamin'…” These words, while from an oldies’ love song, also seem to describe a process that many of us unconsciously go through when thinking about the future…personally and in other ways as well…“Wishin’ and hopin’; thinkin’ and prayin’; plannin’ and dreamin’”…

And this morning, these words remind me of a long-time member of our congregation, Denise Loughridge, who for almost 2 years has battled some very tough, life-threatening health challenges. She is facing a surgical procedure today that when first done earlier this spring, kept her in the hospital for 5 weeks in very serious condition. Those of you who know her well and have most recently heard her share her thoughts in her Sunday School class, also know that Denise, in the midst of all the frustrations, disappointments, pain and suffering, continues to emerge as a courageous and strong woman of faith. And this means that she is also quick to pray for you and to be in “your stuff” with you whenever invited to do so!

That’s what we do when we “carry people” with us. Doing so causes us to not only take our minds off our own concerns, but to put life in perspective; to realize what’s important and what’s not; what we need to hold on to and what we need to let go—ah, another song enters my mind: “You gotta know when to hold ‘em; know when to fold ‘em; know when to walk away; know when to run…”--thank you Kenny Rogers. :)

Carrying people with us also allows us to enter into a deeper partnership with God, the One who invites us to not only share the joys and burdens of our lives but encourages us to “offer up” whatever is in our hearts and minds and let God handle it all--especially when you and I in our human efforts have done all that loving hands can do.

I invite you to be in prayer for and with Denise…“wishin’ and hopin’; thinkin’ and prayin’” that this surgery will be successful and she will have many years to continue “plannin’ and dreamin” with her husband and sons, other family and friends. May it be so, O God…May it be so…
Blessings, Joanne