With every push of my sick boy in the swing under clusters of oranges hanging canopy, I drop my bucket into the well of loneliness. It hits the cold stone walls on the way down, echoes when it hits the floor empty. And a voice on the other side of my fence cracks the quiet open, pulls the rope and bucket back up again with arms tired from carrying a sack of whiny.
My pastor stands in the church parking lot on the other side of my concrete wall and his familiar southern accent in the middle of the desert moves me to the gate. I unlock it with Harrison on my hip. He greets me with his usual wide-eyed smile, asks me how I am because he hasn’t seen me in a while. My uncombed hair, bare face and eyes ringed red answer his question.
It’s been a month of . . . .
Meet me over at Always Alleluia to read the whole story. I’m guest posting at Kris’s place today and she just has a way of making you feel right at home. So come on, pull up a chair and let’s talk. I’ll meet you over there.
Linking with Multitudes on Monday, Playdates with God, Graceful, Soli Deo Gloria, On Your Heart Tuesday and Just Write.
“It’s as if someone put his hands under my arms to carry me when I can’t take another lead-footed step. I swallow a spoonful of living water that quenches the lonely.”
What a beautiful portrait of prayer, Shelly… I want my prayers to be that “umbrella” too.
I know, me too Pam. I am thankful for those who model that kind of generosity of spirit that gives unselfishly in prayer.
Thank you, Shelly, for sharing your precious words over at my place. I am so honored to have *met* you in this crazy blogoshpere. You are a treasure my friend, and the words you write bless me over and over again. Reading these from you, and breathing deep. Thank you, ((hugs))
How so like Jesus when we need Him the most. He sends a helper….. in prayer, in the cavalry of helping hands.
Then our well will be filled with the essential living water…… water of hope, water of life.
Thanks you, Shelly…. and for another link at Kris’ Blog.
Thanks for visiting and leaving comments on both sites today, you are so gracious with your loving words.
I have had similar moments of feeling completely overwhelmed and unraveled. God always sends someone to me who lifts me up and encourages me when I need it most. May we all be available to be that encouragement that someone else needs. Beautiful as always!
It seems that He sends people just when we think we are at the point of desperation and hopeless sometimes. But He is faithful and for that I am thankful.
thank you for these words…the reminder that we can ask for help in times of need and that we are not alone on this journey!
Yes, to what you said. So thankful we are not alone, that He doesn’t want us to tackle life without the help and perspective of others. Oh how we need each other.
Read your story over at Always Alleluia and loved it, Shelly! I’m so glad your pastor was there to encourage you and gather the flock around you in your time of need. He was the hands and feet of Christ–a beautiful example that we all need to follow!
Beth, thanks for coming back to leave a comment. That really means alot to me. So thankful for that man, in more ways than one.
Oh,my, how my head bobbed in understanding! I am so glad your pastor was there and that you had consolation– and see how it makes our hearts bigger and more capable of consoling others! Excellent post- made me so glad I clicked through. Thank you!
Women, we aren’t very good at asking for help are we? So glad you clicked over. Thankful you were here.
So beautiful,Shelly! It is just amazing what can happen when we open up. I love the verse you ended your post with!
Jennifer, thanks for coming by. So sorry I confused you with someone on Instagram. One of those *oops* moments! 🙂
Always beautiful here. I’m a hopping over to read more. Blessings sweet friend.
http://positivelyalene.com
Thanks Alene, always glad to see you here in the comments. And love being at Kris’s place today. She is a beauty.
Really lovely.