You Are Not Alone

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

⁹ Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. ¹⁰ For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. ¹¹ Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm? ¹² And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.

This life, plain and simple is about relationships.  If at the end of the day your work, your pride, or anything else leaves you standing alone hurts you.  Accomplishment, success, money, or fame are things people seek after but if you achieve those things and along the way damage relationship after relationship you have failed miserably.  My Father was a simple man.  He worked hard all of his life, making very little money in the grocery stores of Hayti, Missouri.  Thinking back anything my mom and dad ever gave me was a sacrifice because they never had much money.  But you know what they had that made them very happy and content.  They had relationships.  They both had a relationship with God.  I have fond memories of seeing my Dad take out his large print Bible and sit at the Kitchen table and take notes and study.  But like the above verse says, they had great relationships here on Earth.  They had each other for one thing, for 50 years.  They loved each other greatly.  They had family, 3 sons and a daughter (the youngest of which is the smartest and best looking), and had good relationships with all of them.  They had extended family in Hayti and beyond.  I always had a cousin, a nephew, or Aunt or Uncle around somewhere.  They had church family, before dad had his heart failure, every Sunday somebody, preacher, friend, family or all the above would come over to our little house and eat mom's fried chicken.  I could go on and on, but you get it.  They were successful because they had good relationships.

At the end of the day, what really matters is your relationships.  At the beginning of the year, when Kim and I where talking about our goals and what we wanted to accomplish this year.  We discussed strengthening old relationships and taking care of the new relationships we were making over here at Buffalo stronger.  Yesterday we were able to go to Branson to see Kim's Uncle on her Dad's side and it was great time of fellowship.  Kim had not seen him since right after her dad passed away.   I thank God for the recent trip to St. Louis where I got to spend time with my friend Tim Pitcher.  The best thing that has come out of baseball is to get to know Tyler Henry better.  The trip to Dallas with my coaching staff strengthened the bonds that I have with them and help me appreciate them more.  Getting to go back to Union City First Assembly a couple of weeks back and seeing everyone there was a blessing.  Talking on the phone for advice with Coach Gibbs and Pastor Mitch have been great.  I encourage you to thank God for your relationships, especially the ones that matter like your wife and children.  I also encourage you to seek out relationships with people that God leads you too that you might be able to have an impact on their lives.  

Bottom line, there is strength in numbers.  Especially when those numbers are brought together by love for Christ.  Have a great day!

In Christ Love,

Humbly His By Grace,  Coach Jackson