Striving to be a Samwise Gamgee

"I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you."-Samwise Gamgee

I can't help but cry every time I watch this scene. Although I am emotional in just about every film these days, even commercials I might add, I believe this scene gives us all a legitimate reason to shed a tear or two. I have seen The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King countless times, but this evening as my little sisters and I cuddled up on the couch together, slurped our homemade strawberry/blueberry smoothies, and watched the close of perhaps one of the most epic and powerful trilogies of all time, I found myself especially moved by the words of Samwise Gamgee. "I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you," he says.

There have been times in my life when I was the Frodo...unable to take another step...feeling as though no strength was left to complete the journey ahead of me. Other times, I have been the Samwise Gamgee...the go to friend...the prayer warrior...the warm embrace...the shoulder to cry upon.

I believe God has placed Samwise Gamgee's in our lives so that we are constantly reminded of the ultimate Samwise Gamgee of all--He himself. What an amazing friend we have in our heavenly Father!

One of the most profound things I have learned about true friendship is that God has not given us the responsibility to solve one another's problems in their entirety, but He has called us to direct one another to the One who can. We may feel as though we have little to no ability to carry one another up the mountains of life, but my philosophy is this: If a hobbit can do it, we certainly can as well!

May we intercede in prayer for our friends.
May we never stop loving and supporting those around us...understanding that time is limited.
May we understand that no encounter, no conversation, no friendship is coincidental.
May we always offer words of encouragement...never tearing down.
May we exchange smiles and warm embraces regularly.
May laughter fill the air.
May tears be shed with no hesitation.
May we be a rock...a constant friend in time of need.
May we direct all who come our way to the Cross.
May we be a light in a world full of darkness.
May we always strive to be a Samwise Gamgee.

"Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up."--Ecclesiastes 4:9-10