It Takes Two

It Takes Two
I’ve loved seeing this framed photo in the guest house every day since I’ve been here. Those are my two youngest grandsons — Brennan & Bryson. I’ve especially relished the beautiful landscape and the rare “brotherly love” moment. Not rare in the sense that they really love each other, but they are, after all, two normal boys that can easily get on each other’s nerves. But when push comes to shove, those two would be there for each other. No question. This picture is a perfect backdrop for this “It takes two” scripture.

We all know some not-so-fun-to-be-around folks. Case in point — there was a guy that I knew, bless his heart, that had a propensity toward negativity. Honestly, at one time, I avoided him every chance I could, because he was “wah wah Debbie Downer” most of the time. Trying to “light up his life” was a work-out. Then one day, I went in for the jugular and said, “Do you realize how pessimistic you can be when there’s just so much to be thankful about? Don’t you know that we can make this world a better place by having good thoughts and saying good things?” There, I said it and I was waiting to get an ear-full, but to my surprise and delight, he recoiled and proceeded to apologize to me and, word has it, that he has become a better version of himself. Rather than avoiding him, he just needed someone to tenderly help him see who he had become, and help him see who he could be.

Bottom line, each of us can be better because of someone else’s influence. God purposefully created each of us with special gifts and insights. He made each of us with a need for each other. Despite our many differences, just look at what we have in common:

Each of us is God’s child.
Each of us wants to love and be loved.
Each of us is made in the image of God.
Each of us has needs — body, soul and spirit.
Each of us has hopes and dreams.
Each of us has talents and gifts.
Each of us has joys and sorrows.
Each of us is a work in progress. (Please be patient with me — God’s not finished with me yet!)

Ecclesiastes 5:9-10 “Two are better than one…If one falls down, his friend can help him up.”

John 15:12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”

Seriously, God intended us to truly be “better together.” We have to care for each other and look at the whole (instead of just ourselves). We have to reach out to those in need and love them — with our words, our time, and our resources.

Instead of walking on the other side of the street or avoiding those cranky souls, just maybe God will use us to help them. We are not meant to be alone. We need each other. No one is better than another. Truly, we are better together.