Who's your #2

Two people are better than one, because they get more done by working together. If one falls down, the other can help him up. But it is bad for the person who is alone and falls, because no one is there to help. If two lie down together, they will be warm, but a person alone will not be warm. An enemy might defeat one person, but two people together can defend themselves; a rope that is woven of three strings is hard to break. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

There was a day I would try to put together all that box furniture - big stuff - all by myself. I'd get someone to load it into my vehicle, but when I got home, I'd take a box cutter, slice open the box and take piece by piece into the house. That stuff was heavy! Then it would be strewn all around the living room, and I had the task of putting all the pieces together - a feat daunting in and of itself! Side one put with back one, shelf A inside side and back, wheels attached here, and stabilizing bracket attached somewhere between instruction 52 and 94! Then I'd get to the point I had to lift the stuff up to go onto the next step. Ever been there - seeing clearly what needs to be done, but knowing very well the ability to lift that gigantic piece is beyond your ability? What I did next matters, but not as much as what I should have done to begin with - asking for help doesn't make us weak - trying to lift beyond our strength does!

We all need a "Number Two" in our lives - not just for the box furniture, but all of life. There will always be moments when we fight against things way beyond our ability, but if we don't have our "Number Two" alongside of us, we are standing there weakened and facing things beyond what we should face alone. Solomon realized it was BAD for a person to be alone - not just because there will be 'falls' and 'trips', but there will be work beyond our expertise, times when we aren't able by ourselves, and seasons when we feel the 'coldest' in our lives. He isn't just referencing a 'chilly night' there, but times when our spirit is 'cooled down' and we need to see it ignited once again. Times when we need to experience God afresh. Moments when we are about to battle something that will fill us with fright. Standing alone is not an option in those moments!

Two together can defend themselves - one alone is open to attack. Two together - stop for a moment to think that one through. Who is your "Number Two"? What has "being together" with that individual done to help you create a defense in your life? Look at that last verse again - three are better than two! God in the midst of you and your 'Two' makes a pretty doggone powerful cord that cannot be broken! Defenses are best when they are 'threefold'. Just sayin!

P.S. Happy birthday to my "Number Two"!