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I have been thinking about this passage from the second chapter of Mark a lot lately:
1-5 After a few days, Jesus returned to Capernaum, and word got around that he was back home. A crowd gathered, jamming the entrance so no one could get in or out. He was teaching the Word. They brought a paraplegic to him, carried by four men. When they weren’t able to get in because of the crowd, they removed part of the roof and lowered the paraplegic on his stretcher. Impressed by their bold belief, Jesus said to the paraplegic, “Son, I forgive your sins.”
The other day at a Bible study I was attending, we read that passage, and later on, after we had all talked about what was going on in our lives, we began to pray. One of my friends prayed that we would be the type of friends who moved the tiles on the roof for each other, carrying each other to God, in prayer. And I was blown away by that thought, as well. Because that’s who I want to be.
I want to be someone who is a faithful enough friend that I will carry that friend and her need to Jesus. Even when my friend is too paralyzed by grief, or pain, or even doubt, to take herself. I want to carry her. And when the door seems jammed, when it seems like we’re unable to break through to get to Him, and the logical, sensible thing to do is just give up, I want to be willing to climb up on the roof, still carrying her, and dig my way through the roof tiles, and lower her down. I want to be willing to do for her what she cannot do for herself.
I want to have that kind of bold belief. I want to be the kind of friend who’ll break through the roof tiles.
Anna
Tuesday 22nd of February 2011
Thanks for the reminder. It's easy to think that I'll be that kind of friend in the future, but I need to do my best to be that friend now.
Cricket
Monday 21st of February 2011
Such a great word picture, Susan. This will not leave me anytime soon. Thank you.
Gwen
Monday 21st of February 2011
Beautiful thought, I too, want to be that friend that busts through roof tiles.
Pearl
Monday 21st of February 2011
This would be my friend Mary, who would, indeed, move tiles for me, as I would for her.Hadn't heard this before. Very encouraging!Pearlp.s. Liza Bean Bitey (of the Mpls Biteys) is a fine hand at varmint control and would be happy to stop by your place for whatever has moved into your attic. :-) She demands a dollop of heavy cream in the morning, a third of a can of canned cat food at noon and a dessert cheese and plum wine before dinner. Yeah. She's high-maintenance but an able mouser!!
mideastmom
Sunday 20th of February 2011
"We aren't really free to say a complete and joyful "yes" to doing something, until we feel completely free to say "no" to whatever we need to say 'no' to."Quoted you on Facebook. The ultimate compliment.