
The Blessing of Community
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.—Hebrews 10:24 (ESV)
He said: “Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven or on earth—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way.”—2 CHRONICLES 6:14 (NIV)
I tell myself I don’t need to call. I try sitting, going for a walk, eating crackers and peanut butter. I tell myself, “If I can hold on for a few hours, everything will be okay.” It doesn’t work, though, and as a last resort, I call my husband, Jean-Claude, at work.
“I’m not okay,” I tell him.
“Did you take a half of a pill?” he asks.
“Yes,” I say. “It’s not helping. I can’t do it.”
“I’ll cancel my meeting and come home.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I’ll be home as soon as I can,” he says and hangs up.
The medication eventually puts me to sleep. When I wake up, my husband is in the kitchen making french fries. He knows I feel guilty for disrupting him at work, so he makes one of my favorite foods to reassure me he isn’t mad. He always makes it clear that he doesn’t blame me for having schizophrenia or an anxiety disorder.
God, please help me to show compassion, love, grace and mercy as you show me these traits in your treatment toward me and others.

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.—Hebrews 10:24 (ESV)

The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body.—James 3:6 (NIV)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.—Romans 15:13 (NIV)