Support

Not long ago, I was talking and discussing issues of life with a close friend of mine and in the midst of the conversation, I was reminded that there is an unfair characterization and label that is cast upon many of us while on this Earth. For example, a person is supposed to be able to do something simply because of their gender or race or that a man is supposed to take on all things without any struggle or trial.

Honestly, I am not sure where these ideas are generated but I’m sure that, at some point in time, someone saw someone do something and thought to themselves that all people similar should be able to do so and so. Of course, this is ridiculous but this is how stereotypes are born and I’m as guilty of this as the next person but it’s something that we, as people, have to rid ourselves of as we truly miss out on the real experience of life when we live by such ideas and concepts.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

—Ephesians 2:10

People have said to me that because I’m a man than I should know how to fix and/or repair a vehicle and while I am able to do simple repairs to a vehicle, this is where my knowledge and knowhow ends. People are not born auto mechanics despite the common misconception. There have been many families with different generations; father and son and grandson, but it was not because they were born to be mechanics but rather, they grew up and were raised around vehicles and enjoyed working on them.

Without question, there are things that men are responsible for just as there are things that women are responsible for but with that said, God made each of us unique and different for a specific reason and purpose. Each one of us possesses a talent that we can offer the world and to further the Kingdom of Heaven and while we are usually able to see the talent(s) that others have, it is not always easy for us to recognize what God has given to us but we should never doubt what God has given us and our abilities to further His kingdom.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

—Jeremiah 29:11

What I have learned through my life thus far is that regardless of who we are, we are all human and we all have desires and needs. None of us are made unable to feel pain and love deep within us. While some people are harder and colder than others, we are all able to feel and this includes the strongest among us which is why we all need support from someone in our lives. It’s a given that God is always there to support us but when God created Adam in the Garden of Eden, He knew that Adam would need someone to help him along the way.

This did not just go for physical help but also, and perhaps more importantly, mental and emotional help. God knew that Adam would need help in all other areas of his life and for this journey so He created Eve. The story goes that God fathomed Eve from Adam’s rib after Adam had fallen into a deep sleep. In other words, Eve was created from Adam’s side and the rest of creation has been created in this manner since and it has been true for every person since that support is crucial whether you’re a man or woman or child. We are all in this journey together and while the situations may be different, we all bleed the same way.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

—Genesis 1:27

Randy Travis’s song “A Man Aint Made of Stone” tells a larger than life story as we all are capable of crumbling regardless of how strong we appear and this is true for both men and women but children also need support. The reason why we have childhood is so we can grow and develop into responsible and God-fearing adults and when this process is played with, a problem child can grow into a troubled adult and perhaps Frederick Douglass said it best: “It is easier to build up strong children than repair broken men.”

Sadly, too often, people are too busy or too burdened to notice much of what is happening around them. Life gets difficult, I understand this better than anyone but we need to take a step back at times to notice what is truly going on around us. Our significant others and children or those that we consider to be loved ones are in need just like we are and God has given us eyes to see and ears to listen. Therefore, we need to get rid of these unfair labels and characterizations that have been attached to many and remember that the same God that created you is the same God that created them and while they may appear different, they need support like anyone else.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”

—1 John 4:18