Catch Those Who Fall

 

On this early morning walk along a lovely forest-lined lane, I came upon this tree that had fallen, but not fallen. Obviously a recent strong wind had sent the dead and rotted trunk askew, snapping it off near the ground. But the springy, live trees around it caught it in their arms and would not let it fall all the way to the ground. So here it leans, fallen but not fallen, keeping watch over all who pass. Here it leans, in its place, as always.

As for us humans, it is the lucky few who experience such friendship in their lives. It is the lucky few who, when the storms knock them down, find themselves safe in the arms of those who had always been nearby. Like this tree, some know the blessing of being held close in the hardest of times.

The apostle Paul writes, “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, ...”

In these days of callousness and anger, let us catch those who fall. In these days of judgementalism and viciousness, let us hold one another in arms of kindness. In these days when it is so easy for any of us to feel lonely and afraid, let us wrap our arms around each other and stand together.

Peace.