“Two are better than one… If either of them falls down, one can lift the other up.” Eccl. 4:9-10
One of the special people who lifts me up is my dear friend, Tammi. Today, April 26, happens to be her 60th birthday (Happy birthday sweet friend!). It seems like just a few days ago we were rooming together and nursing classmates at Southern College in Tennessee (now SAU).
Sharing many wonderful times together, we were bridesmaids in each other’s weddings and very close friends. But, we ended up living on opposite sides of the country and for a number of years, our communication lessened to mainly be through yearly Christmas letters.
However, soon before my diagnosis with ALS in 2019, the Lord brought us back together and the bond is stronger than ever. He knew how much I would need her! We think alike, enjoy similar things and have the same sense of humor. Although she lives in Wisconsin and me in Arkansas, she’s always there for me with a listening ear, prayer or word of encouragement, sending me videos, voice messages or texts several times a week. My friendship with her is one of God’s richest blessings in my life!
True friendship reminds me of the Bible story in Exodus 17 of Aaron and Hur holding up Moses’ arms when they grew tired, while overlooking Joshua leading the battle with the Amalekites. “As long as Moses held up his arms, the Israelites won, but when he put his arms down, the Amalekites started winning. When Moses’ arms grew tired, Aaron and Hur brought a stone for Moses to sit on, while they stood beside him and held up his arms, holding them steady until the sun went down. In this way Joshua totally defeated the Amalekites.” (vs. 11-13)
There was nothing special about Moses’ arms. But God worked through these unique circumstances to show His power and bring a miraculous victory. It demonstrates how He can work through our friends in times of need to support and help us towards victory.
God has blessed me richly and surrounded me with a host of caring, supportive friends. Many tell me that they are praying for me everyday and I am so grateful and humbled by the frequent encouraging texts and comments I receive. Please know I read and appreciate each message. I wish I had the energy to respond to each one. Some are going through their own trials of difficulty and yet they come through to support me and “lift up my hands”.
If you’ve been following my journey at all you know that although I have discouraging times, it is my deepest desire and song of my heart to focus on Jesus and glorify Him through this trial. So many times when I am feeling low I will receive a message which echoes my hearts desire and encourages me. As CS Lewis said, “A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.”
As I reflect on my journey, I am overcome by the realization that while I’m the one facing the battle, I am not fighting alone. Whether it’s a dear friend like Tammi, or the many of you who reach out with such consistency and kindness, you are all acting as the hands and feet of Jesus. You are my Aaron and my Hur. Thank you for choosing to stand beside me, for bearing the weight of my weariness with your prayers, and for consistently singing the song of hope back to me when I cannot find the words. Thank you for holding up my hands!
Leave a Reply