The Plumbline

Blind, crippled, and paralyzed - all lined up, neatly tucked away, just waiting. The sheep gate was the first gate rebuilt when Nehemiah set about the work of rebuilding Jerusalem.  This gate had the unique purpose of being the "entry point" for the sacrifices which would be offered at the Temple in Jerusalem.  Now, don't you find it a little interesting that the blind, crippled, and paralyzed were lined up along the pathway of "sacrifice"?  I had never really connected the two before, but it struck me this morning - these people were waiting for their healing along the pathway of sacrifice!  Blind - those without sight, plunged into darkness, or at least the haziness and blur of vision.  Crippled - those who lived with some condition making them less than perfect.  Paralyzed - those unable to make a move on their own, debilitated by that which consumed them.  All lined up neatly, tucked away in their alcoves, waiting.  I hadn't see that before ...

Weary:  Physically or mentally exhausted by hard work, exhaustion, or strain.  The origin of this word has its basis in the old English word used to describe the condition of crumbling, breaking down, or tottering.  I think this comes very close to describing the condition of mental strength when we are at the point of weariness, doesn't it?  We are almost crumbling into pieces - if not on the outside, maybe on the inside.  We find ourselves just not able to go on much longer - because we are at the point of being broken down by the pressures of life.  There is a condition of both mind and body which leaves us kind of "tottering" on the edge - so weary we just don't know if we can go on any longer.  I have heard it said that those who take care of others all the time are often the ones who need a little care themselves.  I observe caregivers all the time, on the brink of exhaustion, but constantly giving out of themselves to give and give again. ...