"When Jesus preached in Capernaum, so many people gathered to hear him that there was no room left. So strong was the faith of four men that they cut a whole in the roof and lowered a paralyzed friend down in front of Jesus. Jesus told the man that his sins were forgiven, and that he could get up and walk home."

So the question for today is... Whom do you depend on to help you when you need it most? Who depends on you?

I depend on mostly my husband. I am somewhat independent and like to do things on my own, but it is nice to have him around when there are rough times. He has a great attitude of never thinking anything is impossible or too hard. Sometimes when he is feeling down, I can return the help and bolster his spirits as well.

I know my kids depend on me a lot. I think they are getting old enough to do more things on their own, but they still need me to boost them spiritually, and morally. They still need a lot of love and confidence building and support.

-- Melissa (cmnorris@1st.net), November 25, 2001

Answers

My husband works in the oilfield, so I must rely on myself most of the time, but I do have a good support system. I have a farmer friend who has helped me many times, a friend in another state who would walk through fire for me if necessary (he saved my life once), and several folks at work who are great.

Who depends on me? Hubby does more than he realizes, my grown sons to some extent, and the 80 or so students at school. My friends know they can call on me ANY time, and I will be there in a flash.

-- Rose (open_rose@hotmail.com), November 25, 2001.

Yesterday, I had server problems and a busy schedule, but here goes for Monday....

Whom do I depend on most? First off, my wife Vicki, in a myriad of ways. She supplies that lost part of my brain called memory. Her antenna reads people's moods and feelings much better than mine, so she often tips me off about what's happening in other people's lives, not the least our children. She is driver, critic, calendar, organizer, administrator. For one whose head hovers in the clouds, she keeps my feet on the ground.

I am also privileged to call as friends a handful of men who provide encouragement, safeguards, chiding, . Alvaro and I talk books, ideas, concepts, work -- head stuff. Otavio and I exchange on a more emotional level, sounding boards. Francisco and I work well on both levels, though not with the same frequency nor intensity. Alexandre and I became friends through the youth camp board of directors, and he has come to provide direction in many areas, as well as a sense of what's happening around us. Wilson and I are extremely different people, and that provides us a challenge to overcome and a rich well of experiences to draw from. Others deserve to be mentioned as well, but I can't refrain from mentioning my two sons, Micah, 18, and Joel, 15; they keep me from taking myself too seriously.

I am grateful to Brazil and depend upon it, because it has helped me develop more as a person to be open and friendly. People here are "high touch" (a Megatrends term?). Even men touch one another on the arm, shoulder, or knee (when sitting) during conversations. Hugs and pats on the stomach and chest are common, and, more rarely, even a kiss on the cheek is appropriate. (The latter is standard greeting form for women.) After 17 years in Brazil (as of Nov. 28), the high touch has become natural to me. You can imagine I have to be careful when visiting the U.S.

As the only male grandson for many years, I was reared mostly among girl cousins and learned from them a pleasant camaraderie that stands me in good stead. Even in college, most of my friends were girls. So today, I depend on a good number of the female sex. Of course, my wife deserves another mention. My sister keeps our bank account in the U.S. Kathy, whom I've never met in person, draws out my creativity from my most genuine self. My daughter Leila, 9, keeps the coals of tenderness alight.

My parents, uncles and aunts, 99-year-old grandfather provide me a sense of roots.

Who depends on me? The same people on whom I depend, for starters. Also, people across the country in our spiritual faith community depend on me as a resource person. ....

Much more than I meant to write. I'd better quit now!

Randal
Head in the Clouds

-- Randal (motivo@hotmail.com), November 26, 2001.

I depend on the Lord first of all. Tom and I are learning what it means to move men through God by prayer. He is the one we turn to first in anything, from severe sickness to lost contact lenses.

Next would be my husband; but we are both still learning how to balance home and church. Pastors work overtime a lot and are on call 24/7. The people in the church should be able to depend on him, yet the family should come first sometimes. (Don't criticize me on this unless you have been both a pastor's child and a pastor's wife.)

There are several people in our church who will come at the drop of a hat any time of the day or night. Jillian and her parents are three of them. As I was talking with someone at church about going to their house, this person suggested having just Tom and I over. Before I could even think, Jillian, who was standing nearby, immediately offered to babysit.

My parents live 10-12 hours away, yet if we had a family emergency, they also would drop everything to drive up and help.

-- Cathy N. (keeper8@attcanada.ca), November 26, 2001.

I forgot the last part, who depends on me? That would be Tom and the children first and foremost. The church can depend on me, but usually they all think of me homeschooling with six children and don't want to put more on me. My Sunday school class depends on me, but other than that, I have not taken any leadership role at church.

-- Cathy N. (keeper8@attcanada.ca), November 26, 2001.

There are a few people I know who will offer to help at any time and who are very dear to me. I think more importantly that i want to be watching myself and making sure that i am making my self available for service and using to my time for others. sometimes i get so caught up with school and other things, that i don;t take time to relieve my mom from things, gotta work on that. but i'm glad that mrs. CATTY, was able to go out , and babysitting realy was fun!

-- jillian (daffodil_skunk83@hotmail.com), November 26, 2001.

I have to depend on the Lord. There is no one else. I am the soul support for my family and most of my friends. I am the one who takes care of the sick, who gives my shoulder, my time ,I keep this household going. I went to visit friends for 1 day and 1 night, when I came back the house is a wreck, no one has eaten a deasent meal, chickens are out etc.. It is caouse when I am not in controll. This gets a little taxing. I have given everyone a birthday meal and dinner for years. Yesterday, Nov.26. not one person remembered my birthday.Not even my Mother. I guess I am venting, sorry. I depend on Christ and everyone else depends on me.God Bless

-- Micheale from SE Kansas (mbfrye@totelcsi.net), November 27, 2001.