Show Up! II

For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.

 - From Matthew 9

I was in a conversation earlier today. Someone told me that, in her observation, families pull apart when it comes to caring for their aging parents. One, or two, of them will seem to be pulling more than their share of the weight, in providing care. It's a taxing job, but a necessary one. 

And God seems to call out just one of us, at a time, to do the big jobs. He doesn't call a team, or a group, or a movement. He calls an individual. And if the individual can find no help from others, then that's going to have to be okay. The work is there to do. And it cannot wait for stragglers. 

Do the right thing cheerfully. Christ was soon surrounded by the deplorables of His generation. And it drove the ancient Hollywood-types crazy. 

Here's the thing about showing up: if you are the one doing all the showing up, you don't get to feel resentful against them that don't. That's not what "showing up" is all about.

Yes, we need people to be present. We need help. We need you to be there. We miss you when you're not. You help ease the burden. Without you, the job is more draining on us. 

But that's all that needs to be said. If "showing up" means complaining about them that didn't make it, then it's better you just stay home. 

Because: Christ is calling everybody. Some answer, some don't. Some say "yes," and some say "no." Some say "later." 

But you show up. You help. Your example is way more motivating than your words of disapproval.