There are times in church that I drift off in my thoughts. I have tried to pinch myself, or bite my cheeks, but it doesn’t work, I still sail away. Recently, I found myself staring and thinking about the asterix before several lines in the schedule. The asterix is explained at the end of each program declaring, “Standing, if able.”
Do you remember the Seinfeld episode that Kramer gets mixed up with a gambler by answering the question, “Can you sit with me?” He says ok, not realizing that the man is asking if he is worthy or the seat, instead of seeking company to sit with.
Can you sit with me? Can you stand with me? Are you able? Are you able to stand shoulder to shoulder? How about when the tide comes in? When the mud swallows your shoes, or when the rain drives down? Will you stand with me? Will you stand when I can’t? When my knees are weak, when I am faint of spirit, when my blood seems to retreat from my head? Will you? Will I?
I will stand, if able.
When we walk with each other. When we stand and sit together. We are caring for the ‘least of these.’ We are loving the broken, lost, hurt sheep. We are offering a chance for the other to live abundantly, and equally important.
Live connected.
To give help is a noble effort.
To ask for help is divine.
Both are necessary to be whole.
Stand, if able.
