I’ve always believed the best part of any trip is coming home. No matter how amazing the time away, the best part is returning to my bed and shower and familiar surroundings. Don’t you agree?
Kenya was spectacular. We worked hard and were rewarded with wonderful friendships and incredible scenery. It was a once-in-a-lifetime trip I hope to repeat several times in my lifetime!
When people ask me what we did while we were there, I simply say we were “with.” We were working alongside people, simply being with them. Did we work? Oh yes. But we were there mostly to be “with.” We pull up along, beside, and with the people we encounter.
This coming Sunday, I will have the opportunity to share with my church and I’d like to share it now, too. God’s really been working on me and this idea of “with” and I’ll be spending the next few weeks telling you about it. It applies whether your mission work is in Kenya, your work, or in your own home.
I don’t know about you, but “with” is a difficult word for me. It implies a steadiness that’s hard for me to create on my own. My impulse is to fix things, get busy, and move. I want to DO. “With” is stillness and companionship.
In his book, Everybody Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People, author Bob Goff talks about God’s amazing power to be with us. Even Jesus’ name is “Emmanuel” which means “God with us.” Look at this passage in Psalms, a very familiar chapter:
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (Ps. 23:4)
And a similar verse in Isaiah:
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. (Is. 41:10)
Christ was the ultimate example of being with. Over and over again, Jesus did things and served people. But mostly He was with them. They didn’t have to do anything to win His attention or favor. He just gave it. He chose them. He chose to be with them.
When I think of the people I choose to be with in my life, it’s most often family or friends. In fact, I often think I don’t have enough time to be with them. But what about the woman wrangling four children in Walmart? What about the guy by the side of the road asking for help? I have to choose whether or not to be with them.
Far too often, I miss it. I don’t take the time to be with them, even for a moment. I’m too busy. I’ve got to make it here or there on time. One funny thing I’m learning about being “with” – there’s not a time element. With can be a moment or an afternoon or a day. With can be a smile, a small gift, a hug, a word of encouragement.
I think for caregivers, being with is difficult, too. There are so many things we need to do – laundry, chores, and serving the basic needs of the person for whom we care. With requires us to slow down, listen, and just be there.
More on this next week. Meanwhile, you may always reach out to me at [email protected]. I’m in this with you!
