One of the common threads that runs through every culture and nearly every family is the understanding that we all need each other.  We may think that we can manage the world all alone, or that we can achieve some sense of greatness by ourselves, but that is not the truth.  God put us together to learn from each other, to help each other, and to love each other.  The quote by John Donne that says in part that no man, no woman, or no person “is an island” rings true.  No one is expected to do everything alone. We need to encourage, support, and benefit each other’s lives. People need people!

When you suffer from any kind of illness that leaves you feeling vulnerable and helpless, you recognize the importance of everyone else in your life.   Not being able to do the simplest things, reminds you how fragile you are. 

I would be the first one to tell you that my recovery from strokes depended on three things.  It depended on my faith in God, my willingness to pray and surrender my situation and my fears to Him.  It depended on the faith I had in my doctors and in my care givers and my therapists. It depended on my family, who stood by me, kept things going at home, and prayed for me every day.  Finally, it depended on my friends, the ones who encouraged me, encouraged my wife and my children, and prayed for me as well. Faith, family and friends became the pillars of my recovery and I couldn’t have done it without them.

Since I’ve been so incredibly blessed, I’ve made it my business to do what I can for others who are vulnerable and in need.  I believe that God has called each of us in unique ways to serve Him and to help each other.  You can trust me when I tell you that I will never take my health for granted again.  I am grateful every day for what God has done in my life and so I pray that we each find a way to help others when they reach out to us.  After all, people need people.  May God bless you and the wonderful people in your life today.

If you think you are too important to help someone in need, you are only fooling yourself.
Galatians 6:3