Standing Together - Ribs are Like Hope
Ribs are made side by side. They are made to stand with one another, support one another. Even when they go through the fire, they don’t run away, they hang in there with one another.
While ribs are made side by side, when we get ready to prepare them, we have a choice. Are we going to cut them apart, break them apart, letting them fend for themselves? Or are we going to let them do what they do best, stand together with one another?
Ever have a day that just got away from you? That was my yesterday.
What started out as a well-organized, highly efficient schedule and agenda for the day quickly fell apart. The day looked to be fairly light with only one scheduled appointment that I thought would take an hour at most. But then it started.
My wife needed help with her gardening. I’m always happy and eager to help her with anything she’s interested in. But this one, small request naturally developed into a much bigger thing, requiring a trip in the car with a couple of stops.
The goal for my one-hour appointment was very well defined. But it naturally expanded into a four-hour event.
A friend of mine had a doctor’s report that was more than not encouraging, it was downright frightening. This short conversation naturally led to a much longer, deeper conversation.
The family of a dear friend is going through a very difficult time. What was to be a brief hello naturally expanded into a lengthy update on their cancers, surgeries, broken bones, infections, hospitalizations, and rehabilitations.
There were many other things that just chewed away at my time. By the end of the day, all my time and energy were gone. I flopped down into my chair and breathed a sigh of relief.
But then I thought back over my day and declared it a success. Do you know why?
Because it was spent standing together with people. Helping people, listening to people, encouraging people, praying with people.
When you look back at your day, do you see yourself standing together with people? Do you see other people standing together with you?
When you do, your daily life will be filled with hope.