When in comes to life in this world we are all in it together.  Our culture doesn’t really want us to believe that right now.  We are bombarded from every side with messages that we must be self sufficient.  There are even people who proudly boast they need no help from anyone.  But truth is truth and it is still out there.  Sometimes it takes bad news to make us see that others are in the same boat.

Yesterday we had our car at the dealership for what we knew could be a serious issue.  We were not prepared for the cost of the repair or the pressure to buy a new car.  I went outside to call my brother.  There are times when a girl just needs her big brother.  Thank you Rod for listening.

When we went back inside a woman who had been in the waiting room with us was at the service desk with tears in her eyes.  She said “looks like you got bad news too.”  She too could not be without a car and wasn’t sure how she would pay for the repairs.  At that moment two total strangers were hugging each other and crying together right there in front of the service desk.  Even though we couldn’t help each other in the tangible financial sense we could offer each other a reminder that we are not alone.

After we arrived home I was again reminded of this important truth.  Offers of rides have come from everyone who knows about the problem.  We have a loaner car while the repairs are being made, but in this case it is the thought that counts.

I didn’t write this Sunday when the car problem developed or yesterday.  I was a mess.  I’m human and I do fall apart.  It took until this morning to re-center myself and remember why we trust that God will provide.  He always does, but not always in the ways we expect.  Sometimes he provides what we really need — like the voice of a loved one on the other end of the phone or shared comfort and hugs with a stranger.  No matter what the world may be saying, never forget, we are all in this together.