Lean on Me

In 1972, Bill Withers wrote and recorded a song, Lean On Me, with lyrics that included the words:

Lean on me,

When you’re not strong,

And, I’ll be your friend,

I’ll help you carry on.

I thought of these words recently as several of our friends have experienced great personal pain as a result of life circumstances. One lost her husband after a fairly short illness, another had an unexpected tragedy occur within their family, and another received a very serious health diagnosis.

“Lean on me, when you’re not strong” is what friends do for one another; is what family does for one another. One of my blessings from belonging to St. Stephen’s is the feeling I have of being a part of a family within our community of worshippers. We stand in support of each other when needed, whether it is by sending a condolence card, visiting a shut-in, working in the food pantry to help those less fortunate, helping with tasks that keep the congregation moving forward, supporting the marginalized, welcoming the stranger on Sunday. What a gift it is to be a part of this family.

Bill Withers’ song goes on to say:

For it won’t be long

Til I’m gonna need

Somebody to lean on

I have been there in the past and only God knows when I might be there again, but I feel secure in knowing that I’m a part of a church family that cares.

Further into the song, the lyrics include:

You just call on me brother When you need a hand We all need somebody to lean on I just might have a problem That you'll understand We all need somebody to lean on