Frank was a lovely man: wonderful in spirit and disposition. He was the third husband of Ann’s paternal grandmother, Nano. Her previous two husbands had died in the due course of time, and Nano could not stand to be alone. She loved to talk, yet there was no one with whom to share conversation. She loved to travel, and there was no one to share her experiences. Besides, Nano had never learned to drive. Frank was the man who offered the care and the companionship, the traveling partner, that she so desperately wanted.
But the journey did not begin well. As Frank was moving his things into the home they would share, he also moved a couple of his guns. Somehow, although we’re not really sure how, while handling his 22 caliber pistol, Frank shot himself in the foot. Only Frank and Nano were in the house. Nano couldn’t drive. Frank didn’t want to call anyone to come take him to the hospital because, to say the least, the idea embarrassed him. He anticipated the questions: “How did this happen, Frank?” “Did Nano miss, Frank?” So Frank rationalized: "It’s not that far to the hospital; ambulances are so expensive, aren’t they?" He bundled Nano up in the car, hopped into the driver’s seat, and headed out to the emergency room.
Which went well for a while. You might remember from your last first aid class that it is preferable to hold a bleeding wound above your head. Now, it is difficult to drive a Ford sedan while keeping a foot with a bullet hole in it above your head. Consequently, en route to the hospital, Frank passed out while driving. By the grace of God, Frank hit a tree instead of another vehicle. It was a big tree. The tree shuddered, but then settled back down to being a tree. The car shuddered, too, but then ceased to be useful transportation. Fortunately, a nearby witness promptly called for the ambulance that was not going to be avoided.
Frank lived, but he never lived this story down. It is the record of one of the few weak moments in the life of a kind and wise person. The desire to be independent and to keep to ourselves our trials, our tribulations, our embarrassments, and our troubles often causes humans to behave in odd and anti-social ways. Frank would not have dreamed of hurting a flea, but because he wouldn’t think of sharing his dilemma, he could have hurt a neighbor, another driver, or even his beloved.
The word for the day is share. Now most of us are willing to share the good things that God give us. But how willing are we to share the troubles that life puts in our path? The scriptures are very clear about the kinds of things that we are to share with our brothers and sisters:
2 Corinthians 1:7 – share in sufferings and consolation
Ephesians 4:28 – share with the needy
Philippians 4:14 – share in distress
2 Timothy 2:3 – share in suffering
Hebrews 11:25 – share ill-treatment with the people of God
Hebrews 12:8 – share discipline with the other children
Revelation 1:9 – share persecution
When we share our troubles, it means that we are truly able to share the good things in the life of faith as well:
Galatians 6:6 – share in good things with your teacher
Philippians 1:26 – share in boasting about God’s grace
Philippians 1:7 – share in God’s grace
Colossians 1:12 – share in the inheritance of the saints of light
1 Thessalonians 2:8 – share the gospel and ourselves
Titus 1:4 – share faith
Hebrews 13:16 – share what we have
Jude 3 – share salvation
Revelation 20:6 – share in the first resurrection
Revelation 22:19 – share in the tree of life and in the holy city
The other advantage of sharing the good and the bad in this world is that this openness makes us a believable person. People who expect to live without trouble in their lives live in a fantasy world. People who allow others to share the troubles in their lives avoid fantasy and engage in reality. At the same time, how do we balance that openness where we don’t whine about every problem, tell the secrets of other people, or overburden our friends? That’s where wisdom comes into the picture.
Be open, be wise today. Share.
Blessings,
Ron
