3:238 – It Takes A Village

#faithbites #faithjourney village

Tonight I was leading workshop for clinicians and let’s just say one of the “joys” of working from home happened: Child meltdown. I couldn’t hear myself speak and was unable to continue. Without missing a beat, one of my colleagues was able to jump in and continue where I left off. I felt embarrassed that this happened, but she said no one minded. She is part of my village.

Tomorrow morning, I am teaching a class and am unable to drop the kids off at school because of when I teach. I have close friends who I can drop the kids off and they will take the kids to school. They are part of my village.

I know if I was ever in a true bind, I could reach out to any number of friends and they would drop what they were doing to help me. They are part of my village.

God built the family structure and gave us friends so we don’t have to do this alone. We all need a strong support group to help out. Part of this is realizing that it is a gift from God to be able to rely on our friends and we shouldn’t feel bad for using our village. One day, they will rely on you too.

Who is in your village?

Scripture

• Genesis 2:18 – Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”
• Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 – Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
• Ephesians 4:16 – From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Reflection

From the beginning when God made Eve so Adam wasn’t alone through today, God has been putting people in our village to help us. In Ephesians we see the metaphor of the Body of Christ. We are all part of it and need each other to work fully. It’s easy to see in a body why a joint is needed or a muscle, it’s harder for us to see how that relates to daily life.

We hear “a man provides for his family” or “I can do it alone” or “if I work harder and sacrifice, I can make it”. These statements ignore the gift of help that God has given you. It’s the old adage, “work smarter, not harder”. Be thankful for having people willing to be in your village and help you. Be thankful that you can serve them whenever they need it. Jesus specifically talks about being a servant and what it means to follow him in Matthew 20:20-28.

I am blessed to have those who love me in my village. I don’t know where I would be without them. It is hard to ask for help even when it is freely given. This is a challenge I need to work on. I’m glad the training went well and I will be able to teach tomorrow without a problem.

Let’s start building and supporting our villages.

Challenge

This is a simple challenge but may take some time. Make a list of who is in your village. Then start to rely on your people and let them know they can rely on your. We are all in this together. It’s a sign of strength to rely on others.

Prayer

Father God, thank you for creating families and friends. Thank you for showing us that we should live together in harmony and help one another. Give us the strength to know that asking for help shows that we are strong and not weak. That we are not alone and need others so we can all grow. We love you and give you all the honor, glory, and thanks for our villages. in your name , Amen.