You ARE a valuable member of the team.

Do you sometimes feel sidelined because of your daily health battles and isolation?

You are a valuable member of the team.

Your contribution to the team may look a bit different, but you are a valued member.

This concept struck me as I watched a family battle through challenges this past week. One member of the family went down for a few days with a health flare, the kind you can’t just push through. The next day, another member had significant health issues. The rest of the family immediately stepped in. None of the family could take care of the needs by themselves. Each one in the family was battling mounting challenges and responsibilities of their own.

Yet, each could give a little and they did. Each person’s help looked a bit different. One handled needed phone calls and searching for medications. Others handled groceries and meals. Still other’s handled rides and doctor visits. One friend stepped in to do check-ins. Another friend stepped in to drive. As they rotated in and out of their own challenges and responsibilities, they stepped back in to help. When that still wasn’t quite enough, they reached out to others in the family of God who stepped in to fill in the gap. When these others have needs, this family will step in and do what they can to help.

As I watched this, I got to thinking. Even those in the family who seemingly couldn’t do much stepped in to do what they could. Not one of them could do it on their own. Yet, with each becoming part of the team, the crisis was covered.

So many times it feels as if we can’t do much. Yet, God has a purpose for each one of us. We are each a member of the team. Ask God to help you see what your part is in the team. Pray, make phone calls, help research, help coordinate care… help however you are lead to help. (And, sigh, the hardest part of all, remember that sometimes you are the one who needs to graciously accept help and make it as easy as possible for those who step in to help you! Ouch…)

We can connect with the family in need. God will show us the way. We ARE part of the team.