Who is carrying your mat?

Mark 2: 1 -12: A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. ² They gathered in such large numbersthat there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. ³ Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man,carried by four of them. ⁴ Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. ⁵ When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

⁶ Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, ⁷ “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

⁸ Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? ⁹ Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? ¹⁰ But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”So he said to the man, ¹¹ “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” ¹² He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

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As a part of our sermon today, this passage was discussed. We were discussing the power of belief in God's kingdom coming. This belief isn't just thinking and completing hypotheses and philosophical theorems. This belief is not only taking God at his word and trusting His promises, but also entering into communion with His spirit and His people. At the end of our time together, our pastor asked Whose mat are you holding? Whose mat are you carrying to bring closer to healing to Jesus? And who is carrying your mat during tough times? 

The closer that Thursday gets, the more both relieved and anxious I am getting. And after today, and this sermon I am taking pause to look at the many blessings I have around me. So, thank you to the many people, who know who they are , who are carrying the corners of my mat. I am so thankful for the many people who are praying for me, who have asked and listened to my worries / concerns and to those who have showed me such kindness. 

I do so appreciate it. Even with distances, I've had so many family members and dear friends who have let me know that they are walking with me during this time. I so appreciate it because on good days it makes me grateful for our friendship and on bad days I can be a little bit stronger because I know I am not alone in this. 

And, a very special shout out to my dear husband who I know if he could single handedly carry my mat himself he would. He has been wonderful to  support me, listen to my worries and let me be sad when I need to.