I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends

Have you ever seen the amazing, giant redwoods trees that grow here in California?  They are majestic and beautiful – I think God was showing of when He made them!  They grow up to 300 feet, powerful and strong. 

Did you know that redwood trees never grow alone?  Though a redwood may grow to 300 feet in height, its roots do not grow deep they grow outward - up to 900 feet out!  So if a redwood tree was alone, the storms and wind that come would surely uproot it and blow it over, because the roots don’t go down deeply enough to keep it in the ground.

So instead of growing in solitary places, redwood trees grow close together, in groves.  Their outgrowing roots intertwine with the roots of the other trees in the grove, giving them a solid stability underground that will withstand any wind or storm that may come.  

We have now been facing unemployment for 16 months.  In that time, though we have experienced much wind and many storms, we were already planted in an amazing grove of strong people – a community of believers.  Our roots were already intertwined with theirs, making us strong, even when we have felt weak.  This community has been our lifeline during this season.  They have given us an incredible amount of love, care and provision.

There are been those who have listened to our pain, cried with us, hugged us, been there when the days were dark.  There are people who reached out because the Lord put us on their hearts and they just wanted us to know they were there and praying.  There are those who spoke prophetic words or encouragement to us, reminding us that this is a season and will not last forever.  These family and friends have been an extension of the heart of God to us.

In addition to the powerful spiritual support, we have also experienced an incredible amount of practical blessing from our community, as well.  People have generously given to us from their own finances.  They have blessed us with groceries and gifts.  When we were doing garage sales to raise money, they donated items for us to sell.  And they have not just given to our “needs” – they have also provided for delightful moments of reprieve – a pedicure, taking us out to lunch or dinner, enabling us to go to Disneyland, gifts where we were told to “buy something for yourself, don’t spend this on a bill”!  We have been completely overwhelmed by their generosity and care and we are so extremely grateful for all they have done.  Words cannot fully express our thankfulness.

There is no doubt that if we had not been surrounded closely by such strong, godly people, we would have absolutely been decimated by the storms of the last few years.  But God has so faithfully sustained us and provided these “strong trees” of support that have surrounded us on every side.  We are beyond grateful for them.  We are buoyed by their love.  We are humbled by their support. 

We have learned that when we are facing difficult times, the tendency is to become isolated.  That’s just what the enemy wants!  Part of the reason that we felt the support of our community is because we decided that we would humble ourselves and ask for help.  There are times when it wasn’t easy to reach out.  Times when it felt embarrassing.  But if we had not reached out, we would not have been blessed by their prayers and encouragement, would not have received the blessings that they so generously gave.

If you are in a storm right now, we encourage you to reach out for help!  Galatians 6:2 says, “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.”  We are so grateful for those who have carried our burdens and we also want to carry others, too.   If you aren’t sure who to reach out to, we are here!  Please message us on our Facebook page and know that we are committed to praying with you through whatever season you are facing.  God wants to bless you through His people.  It’s worth the risk to reach out!