Poop Happens

Okay, for those who know me, you know I like a funny story, but the joke was on me yesterday morning as I walked along the canal with my BFF. Calmly walking along, just sharing our thoughts and laughing together a bit, and all of a sudden, I felt a very wet 'plop' on the top of my head! You guessed it - a bird had relieved itself on my freshly washed hair! I started this little dance in place, pointing at my head, my BFF asking what on the earth was wrong, and then she saw it. Retrieving a small stick from nearby, she was able to rid my head of the offending matter. I could hardly wait to rush home to wash it out, but at least it was 'gone' for the most part. I told her this would make good 'blog' material somehow - so here goes. There are just times in life when things are going pretty well, then all of a sudden, without warning and without pretense, something catches us off-guard. We 'dance in place' a bit, but unless we have someone alongside us to help us out with the stuff we cannot easily see or deal with alone, we are not in a very good place. Thank goodness my BFF was there - the stick nearby - and the consistency of the offending material was rather well 'formed'. In our daily walk with Jesus, we need each other - for not all the offending matter in life is within our reach, or within our ability to deal with it alone!

It’s better to have a partner than go it alone. Share the work, share the wealth. And if one falls down, the other helps, but if there’s no one to help, tough! Two in a bed warm each other. Alone, you shiver all night. By yourself you’re unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three-stranded rope isn’t easily snapped. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

It is indeed better to go through life with someone willing to 'partner with you' through life's challenges. In business, a partner is often an investor in the business. They have put in some capital and know-how into developing that business. There are 'silent partners' in business - investors, but not really participants in the work of the business. They want all the blessings of the business and don't want to put in the effort of running that business. A friend who just wants the blessings of the relationship, but who isn't willing to put in the investment of what it will take to live out each day in relationship isn't really much of a friend at all. A friend who accepts the challenges, finds ways of helping to overcome those challenges, and who knows when to come alongside you 'dancing in place' is indeed a rare find and one to be cherished!

Share the work of relationship. Yes, it is 'work' at times - not everything good comes without challenges and 'rough spots'. Be willing and ready to work through them together - give each other permission to be genuine and then be willing to get beyond the things that 'rub you wrong' at times. In sharing the 'work' of relationship, you are ensuring you will each enjoy the wealth of that relationship, as well. A good friend never asks you to compromise your convictions - nor will that friend ask you to skimp on your commitments. They will stand alongside as you remain strongly committed to what you believe and even help you get stronger in your stand. They will help you see your rough edges - we all have them, so don't think you don't! They will expect you to help them to see theirs, as well - but not exclusively theirs for yours are equally as important to work through.

We all deal with unpleasant stuff in life. One falls, the other reaches out. One has tough people moments to deal with - the other bolsters them with prayer and words of encouragement. One struggles to find answers - the other listens and gives feedback as the Lord leads. One gets pooped on - the other is there to help you clean it up! We need our 'walking partners' in this lifetime - don't neglect them! They need you and you need them! Just sayin!