by: carole l. haines

 ¹⁵ But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, ¹⁶ from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:15-16 NASB)
The rain poured down for days, as I watched helplessly from my window at my brave flowers.  The winds blew and the waters poured down the hill cutting across my beautiful new garden like a flood.  The taller more delicate plants were beaten down into the dirt.  As the sun arose on the third day, I went out to inspect the damage.  I reached down and gently gathered the outer stalks of my delicate purples and began weaving them, like braids, together with the stronger middle plants.  They stood upright again, woven together, they were supporting the trodden limbs.  It has been two weeks, and some more rain has fallen, but they are still standing, woven stronger together.

This was a lesson to me about the Body of Christ. I tend to be a loner, too much so, and have come to find that I need fellowship with other believers.  Life has trodden me down, at times, as I am sure it has all of us.  There are faithful people, who have been sent by God, to weave their lives into mine, and support me.  At times, I have been used by God as a support to others as well.
We’ve all heard it said that no man is an island, how true.  In the throes of War, men have started out fighting for their country, but they say, eventually, they are fighting to protect and save the man right next to them.  Life can feel like war sometimes, so let us fight for one another and support each other.  Let our lives be woven together, and we will be stronger for it.
So thank you, to all those willing, sensitive, and loving branches of the Body, who have reached out to me, folded me in, and woven me into your lives, your churches, your hearts.  Precious Sisters in Christ who have helped me carry disappointment, loss, fear, and anxiety.  I love you all very much.  We are His Woven Blooms.