The Portion of my Inheritance

You would never have known just by looking at her. She was well put together and her appearance was that of grace and poise. The softness of her face spoke of gentleness and joy, and as she slowly walked across the room and quietly sat down, there were no signs of it anywhere.

But her, being afraid that it stuck out like a sore thumb, told us that she had broken her toes.

And I looked, sure enough, I could see it now that she pointed it out. She had two toes bandaged together. She explained that she couldn’t walk unless they were taped together. That without the tape it hurt too badly to walk, but somehow, when they were taped together they felt stronger and she was able to walk.   

And days later, as I thought about my dear friend and her poor toes,He just spoke to my heart. You know, those amazing times when our Lord shows you something that just makes your heart smile big!

And I thought of Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” And that of Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?

And my mind traveled through the years of prayer, and tears and laughter with this beloved friend and I knew . . . .    

I was like her broken toe!

I can not stand on my own, or walk alone.

I depend upon my sister in Christ!

I need to be taped to her, then together we can make it, holding each other up and keeping each other strong.

Only when we are bonded together can we keep on keeping on.   

And our Lord never intended for us to go it alone for He tells us in Philippians 2:2-5, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, or one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

And only through this bonding together, this unity within His people can we truly glorify our Lord.

“Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6   

But even much more, this idea of His to be bound together in love and unity, being like-minded with each other and loving each other was meant to draw us to Himself. It was out of His own love for us that He “drew us with gentle cords, with bands of love” Hosea 11:4a. Yes, it was God who first wrapped our hearts, bound them to His own.   

 “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24