The Journey

Today, in my usual travels, I happened to get behind a school bus taking children home. I was out in the middle of nowhere and somewhere, when the bus stopped. On came the flashing signals and stop sign as the doors opened. The bus stopped directly in front of this particular home's long driveway. At the end of the driveway, was a little old man in his car...waiting for his child, or possibly grandchild, to get off the bus. A young girl with crutches struggled to get off the bus with her pink backpack weighing heavily on her. The man awaiting her arrival got out of the car...braced her as she walked and assisted in helping her into the car. Once she got in the car, he closed the door and got in on his side. As I drove past, I glanced in my rear view mirror and saw him turning around and driving back to the house at the other end of that driveway. The next hour and a half in the car, gave me a chance to think about and pray for many of those dear to me that are struggling right now. One friend recently endured the anniversary of her only child's passing...another friend is on the cusp of divorce...then there are my friend's who recently endured a difficult situation with their children...and another was recently diagnosed with cancer. Pain...heart break...sorrow...difficult times that we all experience. Some things happen to us...some things we bring on ourselves...either way, the pain is the same and it is real. All of these things render us...handicapped, injured...burdened. All too often, we find ourselves with an "injured neighbor", or a "burdened friend" maybe even a "handicapped family member". I have been one of those, if not all of those, at different points in my life, I'm sure you have too. You know what I haven't been enough in my life? The little old man at the end of the driveway. All too often we as Christians look for ways to judge the wounded...kick out the crutches from the defeated...injure the ones already hurting. We are all on a journey, heading the direction God has planned for our life. The little old man couldn't heal the girl's leg and he wasn't at the school to carry her backpack for her...but he was able to make her "walk" a little easier and her load a little lighter as she headed home. We are in each other's lives for just a season. Instead of giving our two cents, judging or ignoring our loved one's situations...why don't we try supporting, loving and walking along side them in their journey. Sometimes, it just helps to have a hand to hold as we go through our struggles and carry life's burdens...even if they are in a pretty pink backpack.