Circling

 

A good friend shared this with me today.  

"Elephants are herd animals. They travel long distances to find food and water and move together to provide protection.  Along their journey, one mother elephant fell behind the herd to give birth. This left her in a vulnerable position as well as her newborn calf.

Not long after, a pack of hyenas surrounded her and started attacking the calf. One would distract the mother head on while others went after the baby.  She did all she could to keep herself and baby safe by keeping the baby between her long powerful legs. She let out a loud trump calling for help over and over while she continued to charge at the predators and keep baby close. The battle went on for some time and she was getting worn out and I knew she couldn’t stand alone for long.

Then suddenly the elephant herd came charging through the trees to her rescue, trumpeting loudly and scattering the hyenas for good. The herd surrounded and defended the mother and baby on all sides until they were ready to travel again."

As humans we need to recognize when those around us are in distress. And that frequently what we perceive as rude, angry or short tempered is often evidence of hurt, fear or sorrow.  

So give a bit more grace. 

And then surround and defend them as they regain their footing and build their strength.  

Some people are inherently better at recognizing the needs of others, but it's a skill we can ALL build and develop.

Some people are inherently better at knowing how to respond once a need is identified, but it's also a skill we can ALL develop.  And much of that training will come through our own experiences during difficult times. 

Some people are inherently better at rallying others to come and support, but it's also a skill we can ALL develop. 

And some people are inherently better at listening and being present, but it's a skill we can ALL develop.

Because at some time or another we will all be the injured in the middle.  And all need the imperfect efforts of our brothers and sisters to lift and sustain us.

As President Linda K Burton counseled, "Did you hear it—the invitation to love one another? For some, serving or ministering one by one, following the Savior’s example, doesn’t come easily. But with practice, each of us can become more like the Savior as we serve God’s children. To help us better love one another, I would like to suggest four words to remember: “First observe, then serve.”

Pay attention.  

Ask for help.  

Stretch into the uncomfortable.  

And become a little more like Jesus each day.