As I mentioned recently, the Colorado Springs Community has come through a horrific experience with the Black Forest Fire, in which over 500 homes were lost. One family and their extended family lost five homes amongst them. Another couple who had lost their home last June in the Waldo Canyon Fire, moved to Black Forest, and then lost that home in this fire. Some individuals had no insurance. Some lost pets and animals. Some lost everything. Yet, in the midst of such pain and devastation, it has been inspirational to watch the community come together. There have been fundraisers held, neighbors helping other neighbors sift through remains, and friends in other parts of the city provide shelter and housing.
I appreciated my friend Ed whose house was spared even as the fire came within 20 feet of his mailbox. His neighbor across the street lost everything. How do you get your head around that? As we discussed his experience of trying to make sense out of it, we were reminded of the scripture that states that it rains on the just and the unjust. His house wasn’t spared because he is somehow a better person than his neighbor. It is just the way that it “rained.” We can’t control the “rain” but we can control our responses. We can come along side those who are in need and are hurting – and we frequently do so.
It is relatively easy to come along side neighbors after a catastrophe. But I wonder how good of a job we do coming along side our spouse when things are not catastrophic but are simply “life?” How do we do when they have had a challenging day at work, difficulties with the kids, or stressful situations with their parents? Do we come along side or do we let them fend for themselves? We hopefully get married because we want a partner – a person to journey and do life with – both the tragedies and the mundane things of life. How are we doing at partnering? I encourage you to find significant ways to “come along side” your spouse this week.