Stretcher-bearers

I've had the good fortune to be joining a group of Christian men on Monday mornings - a "small group" of sorts, but they're not that heavy with accountability.  I've been a part of small groups prior to this one, but this one is ... different. First off, these guys aren't afraid to share. The leader tosses out a question, and they're off on discussions.  No prompting, no leading - these guys provide good discussion.  Not angry rants, or tones, etc - but good discussions about Christian topics. Today was about "demons" - about the scripture where Christ cast out the demon (Mark 1:23), and then about Mark 2:1-5 ---- When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. Then some people came, bringing to him a paralysed man, carried by four of them. And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’ 

For me, this is a good scripture that really shows the importance of friends, and how we need to surround ourselves with those who will carry us to Christ when we're unable to make the journey ourselves. I can't say that I've surrounded myself with those who would carry me, but I do feel like I've been able to bear a corner for some others.  At least I think I have. It's a real blessing for me to be able to go to this group and just soak up what they have to offer for awhile. I've led groups in the past, and facilitated discussions - but here, I don't have to do that. The past 18 months have been the strongest period of personal growth and discovery/introspection that I can recall ever having experienced - and without my belief in Jesus Christ I wouldn't be where I am today. I guess I've had stretcher-bearers to help me along the way, but I doubt they would acknowledge their involvement. And I can't really thank them, other than to pay their kindness forward to others I encounter.  There's more, but as I recently heard.. "it's complicated".. so is this New Balance, but I keep trying.