Written 08/06/2010
On the way back from Jennifer’s house, we had a crowd
following us the likes of which I can only imagine would be following a Hollywood
star.
following us the likes of which I can only imagine would be following a Hollywood
star.
Children fighting to hold even a finger as we walked down
the hill, and a few parents following behind to make sure the baby that was
being held was returned safely.
the hill, and a few parents following behind to make sure the baby that was
being held was returned safely.
You could say it sounded like an army coming to conquer-
Except that we weren’t looking to conquer anything.
We weren’t looking to be celebrities.
We were just walking home.
School was letting out for the day at most of the schools we
walked by, so the crowd around us only grew.
walked by, so the crowd around us only grew.
And as I walked with two girls holding my hands, I realized
something.
something.
In Kenya,
I came to understand that something we all feel the need for is recognition – acknowledgement
of our existence.
I came to understand that something we all feel the need for is recognition – acknowledgement
of our existence.
If remembering a name is all we need to feel recognized,
then perhaps the act of touching someone signifies something deeper.
then perhaps the act of touching someone signifies something deeper.
A desire for relationship.
I’ve been reading Ecclesiastes this month (my favorite book
in the Bible), and there is a part that talks about relationships.
in the Bible), and there is a part that talks about relationships.
Two are better than
one,
one,
Because they have a
good reward for their labor.
good reward for their labor.
For if they fall, one
will lift up his companion.
will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is
alone when he falls
alone when he falls
For he has no one to
help him up.
help him up.
Again, if two lie down
together, they will keep warm,
together, they will keep warm,
But how can one be
warm alone?
warm alone?
Though one may be
overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord
is not quickly broken.
is not quickly broken.
We weren’t meant to be alone – God established that when He
created Eve as a companion for Adam.
created Eve as a companion for Adam.
He established that people were meant to live in
relationship with each other.
relationship with each other.
Personally, I don’t believe there is anyone in the world who
desires to be alone ALL the time.
desires to be alone ALL the time.
If they think they do, it is a lie they have been listening
to for far too long.
to for far too long.
No one can make it on their own, and while I’m not a fan of
The Beatles, I think they had it mostly right when they said “I get by with a
little help from my friends.”
The Beatles, I think they had it mostly right when they said “I get by with a
little help from my friends.”
Just, in the case of believers, it’s more like “I get by
with a little help from my family.”
with a little help from my family.”
