It Takes a Team

January 14, 2012

Two are better than one, because they have a good [more satifying] reward for their labor; for if they fall he one will lift up his fellow.
Eccleasiastes 4:9, 10

This message hit especially close to home.  This week has been a little more trying than usual.  Brian has had to do a lot of work things for his new position, including working all day Saturday and going to company dinners every night until late at night.  For me, this means that I don't have my number one teammate here to help me.  With 3 kids (the youngest being 13 months old), my school starting back up, as well as the normal after school and extracurricular activities my oldest 2 kids are involved with- I have felt really alone. 

When Brian came home the other night at 11:30 pm after a fun evening of dancing and having fun with his co-workers I prayed that I would try to be understanding and not let my feelings influence my actions.  Despite my greatest efforts and staying up late to wait up for him, when he got home and went straight into the bedroom to go to bed, my feelings were even my damaged. 

Luckily my dad and sister were visiting that night.  I was able to rely on my "team" to be there to listen and support me through it.  I realize now how truly blessed I am to have a team that not only supports me and what's important to me but who also love me.  I have struggled with this situation and how to approach it and move on but it has left me in a state of awkward silence in the few moments that we are together since then.  Of course, our spouse is supposed to be our biggest source of support but I am reminded that no one is perfect and when we put our faith in one single man (or woman)- we will get disappointed at times.  That is why God intended for us to have a team, that's why he made us part of a family and put the friends in our lives that, despite our own flaws and mistakes, or the distance between you, are still a part of your "team". 

When I confront the fact that I have such a wonderful team of support, I consider Brian's team.  I have a very tight-knit family and handful of friends that I know would give me the shirt off their back in a heartbeat- even if it meant they would be left shirtless...I am truly blessed.  Brian's family, although we still see them occasionally, aren't too involved in Brian's life.  His friend with who he used to hang out drinking at the bar years ago, have all since moved on in life, just as Brian has- with new jobs, marriage, family, etc.. and we rarely see them anymore. 

Who is Brian's team?  I am.  So I ask myself...what kind of teammate am I? 

I pray: that God will help me to be a teammate that Brian can depend on.  One that supports him and lifts him up when he's down.  One that encourages him.  Not just a spouse who is there to make sure he takes out the trash- but a friend who he knows he can count on for anything.  That God will put a big "band-aid" on my heart and heal my hurt feelings but comfort me and help me to move forward in love and acceptance. 

Amen.