Let’s help each other fly

In tangible ways and in words spoken. In giving from our time, our talents, and our treasures. In showing up when we’re needed, even if we’re not asked. In opening our hearts, our homes, our hands to one another. In a world where it’s often easier to assume, ignore, or compete, we can be the ones to support, uplift, and bolster.

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Earlier this winter, my daughter participated in a cheerleading clinic. She and other elementary school kids learned two routines and were invited to perform at halftime during the high school basketball game.

She and I practiced the small group routine over and over, perfecting the cheer and hand claps and jumps. What I couldn’t help her with was the large group routine. She had a small stunt she was involved in, and while I can holler and clap with the best of them, my cheerleading “skills” end there. I would just have to wait and see her during the game.

She ran out onto the basketball court, a beaming smile on her face and high ponytail flying. She crushed the small group routine, the one we’d practiced together, and I was beaming proud. And then all the kids spread out over the whole court, picked up signs and poms, and went into their large group routine.

My girl was the base for another girl, whom she helped hoist into the air. She and two more girls formed a kind of pyramid, then boosted the fourth girl up on their hands, holding her confident and strong.

When she ran off the court and for the rest of the evening, my daughter could not stop talking about how much fun she’d had. Cheering on the players. Being part of something bigger. But especially, she expressed that her joy had been serving as the base, lifting another kid up into the air.

“I helped her fly!” she exclaimed. And even now as I write this, tears prick my eyes because what if we all took such joy in helping each other fly?

We may not all be the best cheerleaders. We may need to be lifted up ourselves. But we can all do the heavy lifting of friendship, of support, of helping someone else to fly.

When we do, we might be stepped on. We may be overlooked in some ways. We may not be at the top of the pyramid; but we may be called upon and given the opportunity to be the strong, firm, and steady support someone needs.

To be clear, it takes strength to both ask for and offer such support.

The times throughout my life that I’ve needed to be held up were humbling. I don’t necessarily have trouble or guilt asking for help, but it can be a shock to realize that I don’t—I can’t—hold everything together on my own. I’ve been so thankful that when I’ve asked (and even a few times when I haven’t had to), my prayers for help have been answered. Meals delivered. Tasks finished. Dishes done. Snacks dropped at my door. Finances given.

Some of the people who have helped lift me up have been the closest and dearest of friends. Others have been total strangers, led to follow a whispered call.

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
Hebrews 13:2 NIV

One of my favorite Christian songs from the 90’s includes a closing line that says “I’ll never see with human eyes the hands that lead me Home”. 

Friends, we can be those hands! With our offerings both big and small, we can be the ones to hoist another right up into the air.

We can be the one who helps another girl fly.

In tangible ways and in words spoken. In giving from our time, our talents, and our treasures. In showing up when we’re needed, even if we’re not asked. In opening our hearts, our homes, our hands to one another.

In a world where it’s often easier to assume, ignore, or compete, we can be the ones to support, uplift, and bolster.

When the chance to help arises, may we find ourselves saying, “I get to be the one!” May we beam as my daughter did on that basketball court when she hoisted someone up and into the air. And may our hands serve as one pair that helps lead another Home.

A black and white portrait of DaySpring contributing author Anna Rendell.

Anna lives Minnesota with her husband and four kids, and runs on grace and caffeine. Anna is the author of "A Moment of Christmas" and "Pumpkin Spice for Your Soul," and she shares the good stuff of the regular, encouraging you to see the ordinary glory in your everyday. Find her work at annarendell.com.